NORMAL, Ill. – Alyssa Wiebel's second double of the day in the bottom of the ninth, after a lead-off double by Riley Strandgard, helped Illinois State (12-23, 3-5 MVC) walk off with the 6-5 victory over the visiting Sycamores (16-14, 4-4 MVC) to grab the series, 2-1, in the Redbirds' home-opening weekend.
Illinois State's extra-inning thriller marks the sixth time the Redbirds have played free softball this season, posting a 3-3 record when playing more than seven innings in 2018.
Starting pitcher Morgan Day struck out three Sycamores in the top of the first, but not before Indiana State hit a single into short left field to bring a pair of runners home to help the visiting team to a 2-0 lead early on.