McLean County Times

Illinois State University achieved its first series sweep in the Missouri Valley Conference after defeating Valparaiso with a 5-1 victory at the Valpo Softball Complex. The Redbirds, led by junior Hannah Meshnick, allowed only two hits throughout the game. Meshnick's performance was pivotal in the Redbirds’ (16-25, 9-7 MVC) success, marking her eighth win of the season.

The Redbirds are now on a five-game winning streak and have won eight out of their last ten games. Illinois State managed to secure victories in conference play against Bradley, UIC, and Valparaiso.

Offensively, key contributors included Abby Knight, who went 3-for-4 with one run and one RBI, and Hopkins, who hit a home run. Julia Larson and Tatum Wolford also contributed RBIs to the team's score. Bella Atkinson finished 2-for-3 with a double and a run.

In the game against Valpo, Illinois State quickly established a lead by scoring two runs in the first inning, followed by another two in the second inning. A home run in the fifth by Hopkins increased their lead to 5-0. Despite a home run by Valparaiso's Gallagher in the seventh inning, the Redbirds maintained control, ending the game 5-1.

The Redbirds will host Missouri State at Marian Kneer Stadium for a three-game series, beginning on Thursday.

For updates on Illinois State Softball, follow the Redbirds on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App provide additional information on tickets, multimedia, and merchandise related to Illinois State.