By ISU Sports Information
NORMAL – The Illinois State softball team was no-hit through the first four innings Tuesday night against Illinois, falling 7-1 at Marian Kneer Stadium.
The Redbirds fall to 10-24 on the season with the loss.
The Redbird bats were alive and well, only striking out twice in seven innings, but luck was not on ISU’s side as several hard hit balls were right at Illini fielders.
Illinois starter Jade Vecvanags went to the circle with an early 2-0 lead after her offense struck first against ISU’s Ali Domkuski. After a leadoff walk to Carly Thomas, a throwing error allowed her to score the game’s first run. Alyssa Gunther, who laid down the bunt that led to the error, made it to third on the play and was singled in by Nicole Evans two batters later.
Vecvanags got to work on an efficient outing, allowing a hit by pitch in the first inning, but no runs. She then sat the Redbirds down in order in the second and her offense chipped in with more support in the top of the third. Gunther led off with a single and scored on a double from Evans to make it 3-0 Illinois. Annie Fleming then extended the lead with a two-run homer, which was her first of the season.
Vecvanags continued to roll through the ISU lineup, allowing a walk in the third, but retiring six-straight batters after the free pass. The Redbirds turned to Shannon Felde to open the fourth inning and Felde delivered her best performance to date.
She hit the first batter she faced, but a caught stealing, ground out and a strikeout allowed her to face the minimum. In the fifth, Felde allowed a pair of singles, but worked around them to get out of the inning with no damage done. She then led off in the bottom of the fifth and recorded the first hit of the night for ISU. The hit was also the first of her collegiate career.
The Redbirds were unable to score and Felde once again worked around a pair of hits in the top of the sixth. ISU was able to get on the board in the bottom of the frame when Jordan de los Reyes hit a one-out single. After back-to-back singles from Riley Strandgard and Lauren Prader loaded the bases, Payton Billups was hit by a pitch to bring de los Reyes home.
However, a double play ball ended the inning and ISU only managed the one run. The Illini tacked on two more in the top of the seventh and Illinois State stranded two runners on base in the bottom of the seventh.
ISU finished with five hits in the game with five different players tallying one. Domkuski took the loss for ISU after pitching three innings and allowing seven hits and four earned runs. She struck out two and walked two. Felde pitched four innings and allowed seven hits and two earned runs. She also struck out two and walked two.
The Redbirds will host Indiana State this weekend for a three-game Missouri Valley Conference series. First pitch Saturday is scheduled for 12 p.m.
