ISU Softball Remains Perfect at Home, Sweep Salukis in Saturday Doubleheader

After missing all last weekend due to weather, the Illinois State softball team started strong in day one of their weekend series against Southern Illinois, winning both games of a doubleheader.  

The Redbirds had a big day behind pitcher Morgan Day, who got a win in both games. In game one, she pitched a complete game and gave up six hits, struck out eight batters, and only gave up one earned run in the Redbirds 6-1 victory. The middle of the Redbird lineup was crucial on offense, with Andrea Coursey (3-4, 2 RBIs) and Spenser Strandgard (3-4, 2 RBIs, HR) both having big hitting performances against SIU’s Sarah Harness, who came into the game with a team-leading 1.35 ERA.  

“I think today is how the game should be played.” Day said, “We saw a lot of great defensive plays, a lot of great hits, and good pitching from both teams.” 

In game two, both teams struggled to score with runners in scoring position in the middle innings and the score stayed tight throughout. The Salukis left eleven runners on base in total, barely edging the Redbird’s ten. It was Mack Leonard and Emme Olson’s solo home runs in the bottom of the sixth that made the difference for the Redbirds, who won 4-3. 

“Thats the kind of electricity I’ve seen from this group.” ISU Head Coach Melinda Fischer said, “One person comes in and gets a big hit and the next person follows with a hit, follows with a hit. It’s contagious.” 

Leonard started the game and went 4.2 innings before being replaced by Morgan Day, who had five strikeouts in her 2.1 innings to get her second win of the day and fourteenth of the season.  

“She has a tremendous competitive mindset.” Head Coach Melinda Fischer said, “Morgan knows more stuff than anyone should; the stats, info on teams, their uniforms. She’s a softball junkie. To me, that’s what makes Morgan, Morgan. 

The Redbirds improve to 23-5 overall, 9-1 in conference, and a perfect 6-0 at home. They’ll look to complete the weekend series sweep against the Salukis on Sunday, before hosting Bradley for a doubleheader on Wednesday.