Box Score LAFAYETTE, La. -- Sophomore Jackie Roth (Hickory Hills, Ill./Stagg) had a two-out, two-run single in the fourth inning and senior Amanda Clack (Hillsboro, Mo./Hillsboro) struck out eight in the circle as Bradley opened the 2010 season with a 3-2 victory against Syracuse Friday at the 24th annual Louisiana Classics.
Bradley (1-0 overall) managed just four hits off Syracuse (0-1 overall) starter Jenna Caira, but Clack posted her highest strikeout total since fanning a career-high 11 batters on March 11, 2007, while giving up just one earned run in the complete game victory.
Junior Kate Singler (Witt, Ill./Nokomis/Heartland C.C.) gave the Braves an early lead with an RBI single in her first career at bat. Clack reached on an error after striking out and stole second base with one out in the bottom of the first inning. Singler drove in Clack with the first run of the game with a single to right field to give Bradley an early 1-0 lead.
Syracuse tied it up in the top of the third inning with a run. The Orange had runners at first and second with two outs when sophomore Stephanie Watts loaded the bases with a single. Morgan Nandin raced home on a passed ball, but Clack struck out Hallie Gibbs to end the inning as Syracuse left runners on second and third.
Bradley went back in front with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Singler led off the frame with a walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. The Braves had runners at the corners after a single by freshman Taylor Cox (Greeley, Colo./Andover Central [Colo.]) and a groundout put runners at second and third with two outs. Roth ripped a two-out single to center field to plate Singler and Cox and give the Braves a 3-1 lead.
Syracuse answered with one run in the top of the fifth inning to pull to within 3-2. With two outs and a runner at first, Veronica Grant stole second and moved to third base on a throwing error on the play. Grant scored on a bunt single by Watts to cut Bradley's lead to one run.
Clack retired the Orange in order in the sixth inning, but Syracuse threatened in the top of the seventh. Nandin collected her third hit of the game with a single through the left side and Grant followed with a single to right field. Watts loaded the bases with a two-out infield-single, but Clack got Gibbs to pop out to end the contest.
Roth was 1-for-2 with two RBI and two stolen bases, while Cox finished 2-for-3 with a run scored in her first collegiate game to highlight Bradley's offensive efforts. Clack scattered eight hits over seven innings and gave up just two runs (one earned), while striking out eight and walking two.
Bradley returns to action later today when the Braves face Bryant at 5 p.m. to wrap up the first day of play at the 24th annual Louisiana Classics.
