Two wins start ISU softball off right in Racer Classic

MURRAY, Ky. — Two dominant wins on the first day of the Racer Classic helped Illinois State softball elevate its record to 7-14 while notching back-to-back wins for the first time in 2023 Friday at Racer Field. 

Game one | ISU 9, YSU 0

The Redbirds won 9-0 and hit .345 as a team, helping them to a six-inning route of Youngstown State to start the tournament.

Kaili Chval led the way with three RBIs while she went 1 for 3 at the plate and drew two walks. Abby Knight and Addison Masching each had two hits in the win. 

Delainey Bryant, Emme Olson and Jayden Standish each had two RBIs for the Redbirds. 

Picking up her first win of the season, Amanda Fox went five innings, allowed one hit and struck out three. Hannah Meshnick pitched one inning in relief and struck out one of the three batters she faced. 

Sophie Howell got the loss for YSU as she allowed 10 hits and seven runs — four earned. Howell walked four and threw six strikeouts.

Madison Griffin allowed the final two runs for the Penguins. 

Game two | ISU 7, MSU 1

Dayna Kennedy's second-inning grand slam led the Redbirds past the tournament hosts 7-1 in their second game of the day. 

Brandi LaFountaine got ISU on the board when she drew a walk with the bases loaded just before Kennedy's grand slam. Chloe Jefferson's two-run home run in the sixth inning added an insurance run for the Redbirds. 

Hannah Ross went the distance and allowed just one hit to pick up her second win of the season. She walked four batters and struck out three. 

The Racers' only run of the game was scored on a throwing error by Ross. 

Bre Haislip gave up five runs on two hits and picked up the loss in her two innings pitched for MSU. Hannah James gave up the final two runs ISU scored despite pitching nine strikeouts.