ISU Posts Win Against Ranked Opponent for First Time Since 2013

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Published on February 18 2017 11:00 am
Last Updated on February 18 2017 11:01 am

For the first time in 22 years, the Illinois State softball team defeated 17th-ranked Mizzou, 7-3 at Farrington Softball Stadium at the Arizona State Littlewood Classic. Additionally, the upset marks the Redbirds first ranked win since 2013.

“It’s been a long time coming since we defeated Mizzou,” head coach Melinda Fischer said. “You know what it feels like from the past but this is a special win, especially for this team.”

A pair of home runs and a two-run double solidified the Redbird’s 7-3 decision to improve to 3-3 on the season while the Tigers fall to 5-2.

“We were able to put an entire ball game together,” Fischer said. “Mizzou got honest a little bit in that seventh inning but we maintained our composure and finished it out which was great to see.”

The victory marks the first win over Mizzou since May 5, 1995 (W, 5-1) and the first win over a ranked opponent since March 3, 2013 (def. #13 Lafayette, 4-3).

“It’s a positive feeling to know the things that you’ve talked about you see happening on the field,” Fischer said. That gives anybody reassurance to continue doing what we’re doing.”

Shannon Felde, Riley Hale, and Kori Mesecher led the Redbirds’ offense with two hits apiece. Both Alex Caliva and Felde drove in two of Illinois State’s seven runs. Riley Strandgard assisted eight outs to tie a career high set in March 2016.

“To be able to hit throughout your lineup is huge,” Fischer said. We’ve been emphasizing quality, productive at-bats. It was great to see because it was contagious throughout the game.

Sarah Finck earned the win in her third complete game of the season to improve to 2-1.

“Sarah hit her locations really well today and failed to issue a walk – that’s huge for us,” Fischer said. “We were able to play the defense behind her to come away with the win.”

Illinois State showed its determination early against Mizzou as Strandgard singled in the first inning.

The Redbirds picked up right where they left off with a trio of singles by Allison Spence, Hale, and Mesecher to load the bases. Felde sent a double to center, scoring two. Another pair of Redbirds crossed the plate on a Mizzou fielding error, giving Illinois State at 4-0 lead in the second frame.

On the third pitch, Hale launched her fourth career home run, beyond the centerfield fence to give the Redbirds a 5-0 edge. Mesecher sent a triple to the centerfield warning track before a fly-out ended the inning.

A double play by Caliva, Strandgard, and Spence held off Mizzou in the fifth to show the Redbirds’ defensive strength.

Capping off the Redbirds’ scoring, Caliva sailed a two-run homer to left field, upping Illinois State’s lead to 7-0 in the sixth.

The Tigers showed their fight in the seventh, scoring three runs to end the shutout.

The Redbirds resume competition at the Arizona State Littlewood Classic Saturday at 12:45 p.m. vs. South Dakota and Arizona State at 6:15 p.m.