CHICAGO, Ill. ? Bradley busted out of a recent offensive slump scoring 12 runs as the Braves swept a non-conference doubleheader Thursday at Illinois-Chicago, posting a 4-1 nine-inning victory and 8-5 win against the Flames at Flames Field.

Sophomore Ashley Birdsong picked up both victories for the Braves, improving to 13-5 on the season.

Bradley (16-10 overall) won for the third time in the last four games and improved to 3-0 in extra inning games this season with a 4-1 victory in nine innings in the opener.  The Braves scored first in the first game, plating a single run in the third inning.  Freshman Amanda Clack doubled to center to open the inning and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt.  Clack scored the first run of the contest when Miriam Wegmann drove her home with a ground out to give Bradley a 1-0 lead.

A Bradley error in the bottom of the fourth inning helped lead to a UIC run.  Stephanie Chavez hit a two-out double down the left field line and later scored after a Bradley error as the Flames tied the game at 1-1.

The Braves plated three games in the top of the ninth inning to pull out the win.  Junior Stephanie Ramsey was on second base to open the inning and moved to third on a Wegmann single.  Senior Elizabeth Wilson drove in the first run of the inning with a single through the right side of the infield that plated Ramsey.  Wilson stole second and Wegmann came around to score on an error on the play.  Senior Christine Cooney drove home Wilson with a one-out triple to right to give the Braves a 4-1 lead.

Birdsong retired UIC in order in the bottom of the ninth to pick up her 12^th victory of the year and extend her streak of consecutive innings without giving up an earned run to 36.  She scattered six hits and one unearned run, while striking out 12 and walking none in the win.

The Braves had its highest scoring output since a 10-run effort on March 11, with an eight-run outburst in the nightcap in an 8-5 victory. 

Bradley got the scoring started in the top of the third inning with a three-run inning.  Wilson drew a walk to put runners at first and second with one out, before Clack ripped a two-out triple that drove both runners home.

Illinois-Chicago (10-19 overall) responded with three runs in the bottom of the third inning to take a 3-2 lead.  Liz Jacobs had a two-run double to left center to tie the game and the Flames took a one-run lead when Jacobs came around to score on a Brooke Frydendall double.

The Braves retook the lead in the top of the fifth inning, pushing two runs across to take a 4-3 lead.  Cooney was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and singles by junior Trish Kowalewski and Clack loaded the bases.  Sophomore Alycia Bachkora drove in a pair of runs with a double to help Bradley recapture the lead.

UIC tied the game in the bottom half of the inning, pushing one run across.  Ashlee Ackerman led off the frame with a walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt.  Ackerman came around to score on a Frydendall single to tie the game at 4-4.  The run ended Birdsong's streak without giving up an earned run at 37.

Bradley scored three runs in the top of the sixth inning to take a 7-4 lead.  Sophomore Katy Dammer led off the inning with a single up the middle and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt.  Cooney was hit by a pitch for the second time in the game and Wilson followed with a two-run double.  Wilson moved to third on a wild pitch and scored when Kowalewski belted a double that gave Bradley a 7-4 lead.

The Braves added an insurance run in the top of the seventh inning.  Stephanie Ramsey hit her first career home run with a solo blast with one out to give the Braves an 8-4 lead.

Illinois-Chicago scored one unearned run in the bottom of the seventh inning, but Birdsong struck out two more batters in the frame to pick up her team-best 13^th victory of the year.

Clack pitched three innings in the start and gave up five hits, three earned runs and one walk.  Birdsong pitched four innings in relief and struck out six and walked one, while surrendering four hits and two runs (one earned).

Bradley returns to action Saturday when the Braves open a three-game Missouri Valley Conference series against Drake with a noon doubleheader.