SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The Illinois State softball team fell to California, 8-4, to close the Silicon Valley Invitational on Sunday.
The Redbirds and Golden Bears battled through a quiet start before the offense came alive in the middle innings. Illinois State erased a multi-run deficit with a four-run fifth to tie the game, but California answered late with a pair of two-run innings to secure the victory. ISU totaled 10 hits but left eight runners stranded in the loss.
BIRD BITS (vs. Cal)
Offensive Highlights:
Ella Boyer: 2-for-2, 1 BB, 1 R
Taylor Liebelt: 2-for-4, 2B
Julia Larson: 2-for-4, 1 R
Bella Atkinson: 1-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI, 1 R
Hannah Meeks: 1-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI
Pitching Breakdown:
Paige McLeod: 4.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
Hannah Meeks: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
Hannah Meshnick (L, 3-2): 2.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
HOW IT HAPPENED
The game remained scoreless until California broke through in the third inning, taking a 2–0 lead on a pair of RBI singles. The Golden Bears added to their advantage in the top of the fifth with a two-run homer to make it 4–0, but the Redbirds answered in the bottom half of the inning. Juniors Ella Boyer and Julia Larson each singled, and freshman Morgan Calhoun drew a walk, with all three eventually coming around to score, as senior Bella Atkinson and junior Hannah Meeks each crushed two-RBI doubles to tie the game at four. California regained control late, however, plating two runs in both the sixth and seventh innings to pull away for an 8–4 victory.
ON DECK
The Redbirds will be back in action at the Make It Happen Games in Maderia Beach, Fla., from Feb. 27-March 1.
