Arizona State Downs Illinois State In Softball

TEMPE, Ariz. – Battling through unfavorable weather conditions, the Illinois State softball team (0-6) clawed its way back from a 5-0 deficit to fall 9-6 against No. 14 Arizona State (5-1) on Thursday to open the Littlewood Classic, hosted by the Sun Devils.

    Sophomore Morgan Day earned her fourth career start in the circle against a nationally-ranked opponent, and the second this season, getting the starting call against No. 7 Arizona during opening weekend.

    With the rain beginning to fall, the Sun Devils took a 4-0 lead in the home half of the second inning, before Alyssa Wiebel made a play at the wall in center field to leave a pair of runners in scoring position.

   Shannon Felde registered the first hit of the game for the Redbirds in the top of the third with two outs, as Riley Hale followed with ISU's first walk to put two on for the first time in the game. 

   Relief pitchers Ali Domkuski and Mack Leonard each contributed two innings of work in the circle, allowing just six hits with no earned runs.

    Alyssa Wiebel and Teutopolis graduate Anni Borries kick started ISU's comeback with back-to-back doubles in the top of the fifth, as Wiebel crossed home plate to put the Redbirds on the board. A two-out single to left field by Emme Olson scratched another run across the plate, before ISU's third double of the inning – this time by Allison Spence – had the Redbirds within one.

    Arizona State responded in the bottom of the sixth, scoring four runs on four hits and a pair of errors, to regain a five-run advantage.  

  ISU continued its comeback in the top of the seventh, as Taylor Vanderpool and Riley Hale drew a pair of walks and Felde singled to load the bases with no outs. A sac fly by Olson brought Vanderpool across home plate, while a single to center field by Andrea Coursey brought the Redbirds within three. 

   The Sun Devils fought off ISU's resurgence with back-to-back strikeouts to hold on for the 9-6 win.

   T-town graduate Kadi Borries was a pinch runner.

ON DECK

Illinois State will resume action at the Littlewood Classic Friday with a twin bill against Central Michigan and No. 4 Florida, beginning at 12:30 p.m. CT.