May 19, 2012
Box Score
COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Illinois St Red Birds (37-22) beat the DePaul Blue Demons (36-22) at University Field by a 3-0 final on Saturday evening to advance to Sunday's Regional Championship against host Missouri. Jordan Birch of Illinois State pitched a one-hitter to lead the Redbirds to the victory.
The Redbirds struck for a run in the first on an RBI triple by Elizabeth Kay, who finished the game 1-for-3. Lauren Kellar had a solid day at the plate for ISU, going 2-3, while Kolby Hoffman hit her second home run of the season.
Birch didn't allow a run until the bottom of the fourth inning, when DePaul pitcher Kirsten Verdun singled with one away. Birch worked out of it with a fly out and a ground out.
Hoffman led off the top of the fifth and hit a solo shot to right center for her second home run of the year. The homer extended the ISU lead to 2-0.
Illinois State got a rally going in the top of the sixth, as two straight singles and an error on the third baseman loaded the bases. The next batter struck out, but Jhavon Hamilton walked to bring in a run and make it 3-0.
In the bottom of the seventh, Biorch got Verdun to ground out to the shortstop Mary Connolly to pop out to the third baseman on consecutive pitches. Paige Peterson then lined out to left to end the game.
Illinois State will take on the Missouri Tigers (45-12) tomorrow at 2 p.m. CT, needing two wins to win the Regional. Due to potential inclement weather in the area stay tuned to mutigers.com and the Mizzou Softball Twitter account (@MizzouSoftball) for any schedule changes.
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