Redbirds Lose Friday Night Contest

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Published on February 18 2017 9:21 am
Last Updated on February 18 2017 9:21 am

Despite putting a run on the board in the sixth, the Illinois State softball team could not overcome Arizona State on their home field on Friday night, 7-2. The Redbirds close out day one of the Arizona State Littlewood Classic with a 3-4 record while the Sun Devils improve to 9-0.

After a slew of scoreless frames, the Redbirds plated a run in the top of the sixth to end the drought. Kori Mesecher launched her second triple of the day to right field before Shannon Felde drove Mesecher home on her second consecutive single of the night, putting Illinois State on the board.

However, the Sun Devils struck first and maintained their lead throughout the contest to earn the 7-1 win.

The Sun Devils jumped on the board with an RBI-single down the left line by Taylor Becerra in the second inning. A pair of RBI-singles upped the score to four by the end of the third frame.

The Redbirds responded in the fourth as Felde led off with a single up the middle but was left stranded on base.

Arizona State continued to capitalize on the home field advantage as Ulufa Leilua sent a two-run home run to right-center, upping the score to six before a fly-out ended the fourth inning.

Illinois State’s defense remained steady through the pair of games on day one of the Arizona State Littlewood Classic as Riley Strandgard, Abby Turczyn, and Anni Borries turned a double play to hold of the Sun Devils in the fifth.

Mesecher sailed a triple to right in her second consecutive game to put the Redbirds in scoring position. Felde drove her home with an RBI-single up the middle to put Illinois State on the board in the sixth.

Arizona State’s Leilua slugged her second home run of the game in the bottom of the sixth to finalize the score at 7-1.

Ali Domkuski took the loss in 3.2 innings of work with relief appearances by Veronique Johnson for 1.1 innings and Morgan Christner for the final inning. Arizona State’s Giselle Juarez earned her first complete game win of the season to improve to 2-0.

The Redbirds resume competition at the Arizona State Littlewood Classic Saturday at 12:45 p.m. vs. South Dakota and Arizona State at 6:15 p.m.