CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Freshman Molly Bergeson went 1-for-1 while drawing three walks as she extended her hitting streak to five games, but Bradley managed just three singles in the game as Illinois defeated the Braves 5-2 in non-conference softball action Thursday at Eichelberger Field in Champaign, Ill. Game two of the scheduled doubleheader was cancelled due to rain with the Illini leading 5-0 in the bottom of the third inning.

Bergeson helped the Braves (12-26 overall) take a 2-0 lead in the second inning as Bradley capitalized on an Illinois error and all three of its hits in the inning to push two runs across. Junior Shayna Bradford reached on an error to lead off the inning and sophomore Elizabeth Wilson drew a walk. Junior Joanna Pettit had a one-out pinch-hit single that loaded the bases and junior Bethany Till slapped a single to left field to score Wilson with the Braves first run. Bergeson followed with another single to left field that plated Mancuso with the second run of the inning as Bradley took a 2-0 lead. With one out and bases loaded Illinois pitcher Claire DeVreese pitched out of the jam without any further damage, as Bradley left the bases loaded after hitting into a fielder's choice and a groundout back to DeVreese ended the inning.

The Illini got one run back in the bottom of the second inning on a one-out solo home run by Molly Lawhead. Illinois added four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Lawhead started a two-out rally with a single to left. Laura Zobrist was hit by a pitch and Brittany Koester drew a walk to load the bases. Pinch hitter Jackelyn Diekemper hit a single up the middle that scored Lawhead and Zobrist to give the Illini a 3-2 lead and Rachelle Corriddi followed with a two-run triple to left field that plated Koester and pinch runner Angelena Mexicano as Illinois took a 5-2 lead.

Bergeson drew her third walk of the game with one out in the seventh, but the Braves were unable to bring her around as the Illini posted the 5-2 victory. Junior Brittany Dehler took the loss for the Braves, striking out three and walking six in the six-inning outing. Dehler fell to 8-13 on the season as she gave up six hits and five earned runs. Bergeson was one of three Braves to notch hits in the game as she extended her hitting streak to a season-best five games. Pettit hit safely in her fourth consecutive game and is now 4-for-8 during that stretch.

Mary Miller earned the victory for Illinois, improving to 13-9 on the season. Miller entered the game in the top of the third inning and pitched five innings of no-hit scoreless relief. Bradley drew three walks in the final five innings, but didn't advance a runner past second base after scoring two runs in the second inning.

The Braves returns to action Saturday when they open a three-game Missouri Valley Conference series against Drake with a noon doubleheader at Laura Bradley Park. The series concludes with a single game at noon on Sunday.