Photo Courtesy of ISU Athletics
NORMAL, Ill.—The Redbirds slid home this evening against the Indiana State Sycamores with a final score of 5-2.
After game delays for the last two weeks and today’s game being switched to a single—the Redbirds prevailed with a win in seven innings.
The game started fast with many outs but no scores from either team on the board. In the second inning the Birds scored twice. Addison Masching singled up the middle allowing Kaili Chval and Jayden Standish to help the Birds get points on the board.
Around this time things slowed up around the top of the third. The team pushed past the Sycamores’ Lexi Benko who had an almost perfect night on the mound.
At the top of the third the Sycamores put a point on the board. Cassie Thomerson doubled which allowed her teammate Bella Peterson to score.
Coach Melinda Fischer switched out her starting pitcher Hannah Ross with Amanda Fox who struck the Sycamores out many times throughout the game.
Heading into the top of the fifth Isabella Henning homered to center field and Abi Chipps followed helping Indiana State lead by one.
In the bottom of the sixth inning the Birds were still in the same predicament but decided to kick it into full gear for their final inning.
At the bottom of the seventh inning with only one out—Chval homered to left field and helped the Redbirds bring home win after the team being off the field for a while. Her teammates Madi Bylak and Michelle Calabrese were invited into home base with the entire team cheering them on.
Chval earned her first home run of her career.
The Birds will be meeting the Sycamores for another run around the field tomorrow on the Marian Kneer Softball Stadium at noon for a double header.