Box Score CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. ? Kelsey Warning's three-run homer in the first inning and Casey Gorrell's grand slam in the third inning provided all the offense 18th-ranked Illinois State would need as Bradley lost its opening game at the SEMO Spring Classic 8-0 Saturday. The Braves fell to 8-3 on the season with the loss.
Sophomores Alycia Bachkora and Miriam Wegmann each went 2-for-2, collecting all four of Bradley's hits in the game. Illinois State roughed up Bradley pitcher Rebecca Bishop (1-2) for seven hits and eight runs (seven earned) in four innings.
Illinois State (16-5 overall) scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning to jump out to an early lead. Tiffany Prager reached on an error with one out in the first and Amber Smith tipped a double to left field, before Warning put ISU ahead 3-0 with her sixth home run of the year.
The Redbirds pushed five more runs across in the bottom of the third inning, thanks in part to Gorrell's grand slam. A leadoff single, walk and another single loaded the bases before Stacy Birk drew a walk to give Illinois State a 4-0 lead. Gorrell delivered the big blow of the game, belting her fourth homer of the year with the bases loaded to cap the scoring for the Redbirds.
Bradley threatened to score in the top of the fifth inning, but Shannon Nickolson pitched out of a jam to preserve the shutout. Wegmann led off the inning with a single. Jen Martin drew a walk and a sacrifice bunt put runners at second and third with one out. Pinch runner Abby Nevit was thrown out at the plate on a fielder's choice for the second out of the inning and Nicholson (10-3) struck out her fifth batter of the game to end the game.
The Braves return to action Saturday at 3:30 p.m. against tournament host Southeast Missouri State.
