ISU avenges loss to Montana

Posted on February 20, 2016

The Redbirds sit at 2-1 in the tournament after taking down Montana (WJBC/FILE PHOTO)

By ISU Sports Information

TEMPE, Ariz. – One day after losing 17-6, the Illinois State softball team avenged its loss by beating Montana, 5-4, Saturday morning at Arizona State in Tempe, Arizona. The win pushes ISU’s record to 3-5 and is its second win of the weekend.

The Redbirds received another complete game outing from Sarah Finck in the circle, and Finck was aided by an offense that crushed four solo home runs.

One day after hitting her first career home run, Riley Hale hit a solo shot in the top of the first to give the Redbirds an early lead. Montana answered with a run of its own in the bottom of the inning to tie the game. Finck walked the leadoff hitter in the inning, which was one of only three walks in the game.

In the second inning, the Redbirds relied on power again as Allison Spence and Payton Billups hit back-to-back home runs to start the inning. Spence’s home run was her second of the season and Billups’ was her first.

Once again, Montana answered with a run in the bottom of the frame, but Finck was able to work out of a jam to end the inning and leave runners at first and third. ISU tacked on another run in the top of the third as Jordan de los Reyes hit her fourth home run of the season.

Leading 4-2 in the bottom of the fourth, Finck surrendered two singles to start the inning and both runners would work their way around the bases to score and tie the game. However, Finck’s offense helped her out again in the top of the fifth.

Kaitlyn Knary laid down a bunt single to begin the inning and Annie Heineman moved her to second with a sacrifice bunt. Hale then stepped up and doubled into the gap to give ISU the lead, 5-4.

Finck handled the rest, shutting out the Grizzlies for the final three innings to secure the Redbird win. With the win, Finck is now 3-2 on the season. She pitched all seven innings and gave up three earned runs on nine hits while striking out three and walking three.

Hale led the offense, finishing 2-for-4 for two RBIs and a run scored. De los Reyes also finished 2-for-4 while Spence and Billups each recorded two hits as well.

Illinois State will face No. 17 Arizona State Saturday night at 7 p.m. CT.

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