By ISU Sports Information.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – After being defeated 11-0 in five innings earlier this season, the Illinois State softball team battled No. 1 Florida in a 7-2 defeat Thursday night at Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, Florida. The loss drops the Redbirds to 3-12 this season.
Regan Romshek got the start in the circle for ISU and held Florida scoreless in the first inning. In the second, Romshek recorded the first out of the inning, but then ran into trouble. Kayli Kvistad hit a solo home run down the right field line to make it 1-0. The Gators then loaded the bases with two outs and Amanda Lorenz drove in a pair of runs with a single. The next batter up, Janell Wheaton, also hit an RBI single to push Florida’s lead to 5-0.
After Ali Domkuski got ISU out of the inning, the freshman worked a scoreless third inning. The Redbird offense was still without a hit in the fourth inning, but rallied to pull within three. Riley Hale was hit by a pitch and later came around to score on a throwing error. A few batters later, Abby Turczyn drew a bases loaded walk to drive in Jordan de los Reyes.
Florida’s bats generated offense in the next two frames, scoring one run each in the fourth and fifth innings. Sarah Finck entered to pitch for the final 2.1 innings and the sophomore allowed three hits and one run, which was unearned.
ISU picked up its first hit of the game in the sixth inning when Payton Billups singled. Turczyn would collect the other Redbird hit in the top of the seventh with a single of her own. However, ISU was unable to score and fell, 7-2.
Florida had allowed only eight runs in the previous 16 games and Illinois State matched the most runs Florida had given up in a single game this season.
Turczyn led the way for the ISU offense, finishing 1-for-2 with a hit, RBI and walk. Romshek, Domkuski and Finck all faced 10 batters in the circle and combined to allow seven runs on 14 hits while striking out three and walking two.
The Redbirds will play two games Friday. ISU takes on Florida A&M at 10 a.m. CT and FIU at 12:15 p.m.
