Aces battle Redbirds in extra innings
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Marah Wood recorded three hits and extended her hit streak to a season-high 10 games on Friday evening when the University of Evansville softball team dropped a 2-1 decision to Illinois State in ten innings at Tri-State Orthopaedics Field at James and Dorothy Cooper Stadium.
Wood completed the evening going 3-for-5 at the plate as the Purple Aces registered eight hits on the night. Hannah Hood added two hits while Lacy Smith, Zoe Frossard and Jess Willsey added one apiece.
Illinois State scored an unearned run in the top of the second before Evansville responded with a run in the bottom of the third. Marah Wood came through with a 2-out single to score Lacy Smith, who singled earlier in the frame.
Things remained knotted at 1-1 until the top of the 6th when Emme Olson connected on a solo home run to right field to put the Redbirds back on top. Once again, UE had an answer. Wood picked up her third hit of the day to reach. Standing on second with two outs, Wood scored the tying run when Alexa Davis reached on an error.
In the top of the tenth, the Redbirds broke through with a run scoring on an Abby Knight single. Down to its final chance, the Aces came up just short with ISU clinching the win.
Hannah Ross went the distance, tossing 10 innings for the Redbirds with two runs, one earned scoring. She fanned 10 batters on the way to her 10th win of the year. Mikayla Jolly made the start with an unearned run scoring on three hits in four frames. Megan Brenton threw the final six innings with two runs scoring, one of which was earned.
Tomorrow, the teams match up for the second game of the series at 2 p.m.
