NORMAL, IL ? With a 19-23-1 overall record (7-10 MVC), the Indiana State softball team looked to rebound today against the Redbirds of Illinois State (22-18, 12-6 MVC) after dropping both games of a doubleheader to IUPUI on Monday that snapped an eight game winning streak. Unfortunately the Redbirds, who defeated the Sycamores in two games earlier this season, completed the series sweep of the Sycamores and flew away with a 10-2 victory.
The Sycamores did get off to a good start as they took an initial 1-0 lead in the first inning. After Christina Meyers was walked by Redbird pitcher Amber Smith who gave up just three hits the entire game, Katie Armour singled, advanced to second on a Redbird error, and Meyers was able to cross home plate for the first run of the game.
The Redbirds took over from that point on as they plated five straight runs before the Sycamores could tally back in the fifth inning. Kelsey Anderson was walked and Kacy Kestner came in to replace her on the bases but was driven home shortly after by fellow senior Lindsey Starwalt who registered her team-leading third triple of the season. Down by just three runs at that point, the Sycamores' hopes of rallying back were crushed when the Redbirds put another runner across in the bottom of the fifth and an additional four in the sixth before the game was called due to the eight-run-rule.
Meagan McCurdy started in the circle for the visiting Sycamores but was relieved by Katie Armour in the middle of the second inning after giving up five runs, four of which were unearned. Armour pitched the final four innings and gave up six hits and six runs. She receives a no-decision and McCurdy receives the loss to even her record at 11-11.
Redbird pitcher Amber Smith only struck out six Sycamores batters but defensively she and the rest of the Redbird squad only allowed three hits to Indiana State.
Abby Olson, Illinois State's third basemen, was too much for the Sycamores as she went 3-for-4 with two homeruns and 4 RBI to lead the Redbirds to victory.
The Sycamores will return to action this weekend when they travel to Omaha, Nebraska to take on league-leading Creighton University in a three-game series beginning with a doubleheader on Saturday.
