UE set for another week of home play
In a game that saw both offenses clicking on all cylinders, Illinois State took a 16-8 victory over the University of Evansville softball team inside Cooper Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
With the win, the Redbirds (9-20, 3-0 MVC) swept the 3-game series over the Purple Aces (10-14, 0-3 MVC). Leading the Aces was Lindsay Renneisen, who notched a pair of 2-RBI hits on her way to four runs batted in. Allison Daggett had two RBI while Mea Adams had one.
It was another quick start for the Redbirds, who hit a pair of 2-run shots in the top of the first to take a 4-0 lead. Evansville had a quick answer, matching the four runs in the bottom of the inning. Katie McLean and Eryn Gould reached base for Lindsay Renneisen, who doubled to center field to score the pair. Bailee Bostic added a 2-run hit of her own, notching an infield single that score two more runs to tie the game.
ISU threatened in the second, drawing two walks, but senior Emily Lockhart came into the game in relief and got two quick strikeouts to keep the game tied. Evansville capitalized in the bottom of the frame when Renneisen struck again. After ISU intentionally walked Gould, Renneisen made them pay, lacing a 2-run double to right-center to give UE its first lead. The Redbirds fought back with a pair in the third that tied it right back up at 6-6.
Mea Adams gave UE the lead right back in the third. After fouling off numerous pitches, she found one she liked and turned it into an RBI double to left that gave Evansville a 7-6 edge. The back-and-forth action continued when ISU retook the lead at 9-7 thanks to three runs in the top of the fourth.
In the fifth, the Redbirds added some insurance thanks to a grand slam by Allison Spence before finishing the day with the 16-8 win in six innings.
UE remains at Cooper Stadium this week, facing UT Martin on Wednesday in a 3 p.m. doubleheader before welcoming Loyola to town for a 3-game set next weekend.
