Redbirds’ rally not enough at Western Kentucky

Posted on February 24, 2017

By ISU Sports Information

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Despite cutting the deficit in half in the sixth inning, the Illinois State softball team dropped a six-run decision at Western Kentucky on Thursday in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The Hilltoppers posted four runs in the bottom of the sixth to earn the 8-2 over the Redbirds.

Both Caitlyn Daly and Jordan de los Reyes recorded their first multi-hit games of their career and season, respectively. Starting pitcher Sarah Finck tossed a season-high, seven strikeouts in the contest.

Illinois State started strong with a pair of hits in the first inning by Caliva and Alyssa Wiebel. However, the Redbirds could not convert in the frame.

However, the Hilltoppers responded by capitalizing on a trio of Redbird errors to take a 4-0 lead by the end of the first inning.

Illinois State settled in at the start of second inning with Daly’s first hit of the season followed by a ball to center, scoring Riley Hale. The Redbirds’ defense made it a 1-2-3 inning for the Hilltoppers in the bottom of the frame.

The Redbirds’ momentum continued into the third inning with back-to-back singles by Allison Spence and de los Reyes. However, a fly-out ended the frame leaving the pair on base. In the bottom, Finck doled out a three of her six of strikeouts in the third inning to hold off Western Kentucky.

In her first multi-hit game of the season, de los Reyes doubled to right-center. Kadi Borries took her place to run at second before Hale sent a line drive to center field to score Borries and cut the deficit to two runs. Daly ripped the ball to center, but was caught at second to end the sixth.

Western Kentucky responded in the bottom of the frame with a pair of runs off Taylor Proctor’s bat. Kelsey McGuffin followed suit with another two-RBI hit, finalizing the score at 8-2.

Finck tossed a season-high, six strikeouts while taking the loss in five innings of work. Ali Domkuski pitched two innings in relief.

With the 8-2 decision, Illinois State dips to 3-5 while Western Kentucky improves to 6-4.

Illinois State continues the Hilltopper Spring Fling Friday against Wright State at 9 a.m. at the WKU Softball Complex before facing Austin Peay at 1:30 p.m. at Buchanon Park.

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