Aces drop close 4-1 contest
NORMAL, Ill. – Lacy Smith and Jess Willsey recorded two hits apiece, but the Illinois State defense turned three doubles players on their way to a 4-1 win over the University of Evansville softball team on Sunday afternoon at Marian Kneer Stadium.
Jess Willsey picked up the first hit of the game in the top of the second with a double play later ending the threat. Illinois State countered in the bottom of the frame with the first run of the game scoring on an RBI groundout. Two sacrifice flies by ISU pushed the lead to 3-0 as the third inning came to a close.
Brooke Voss added a single in the top half of the fourth before the Redbirds plated the fourth run of the game on a single in the bottom of the inning.
With one out in the fifth, Lacy Smith hit a home run to left field to get Evansville on the board. Zoe Frossard, who reached on a walk earlier in the game, added a hit as UE worked to get closer in the fifth.
Still trailing by a 4-1 score, UE made a late rally with Hannah Hood and Smith leading off with singles. A double play got the Redbirds back on track and they recorded the final out to take the win.
The pitching staff for the Purple Aces had a solid day. Sydney Weatherford, Mikayla Jolly and Megan Brenton tossed two innings apiece. Weatherford allowed one run on two hits while Brenton threw a scoreless final two frames. Paige McLeod allowed one run on eight hits in the complete game for ISU.
UE is set for the 2024 Missouri Valley Conference Championship, which opens on Wednesday in Normal, Ill.
