NORMAL, Ill. – Bradley and Illinois State started Thursday's Missouri Valley Conference softball game two hours after the original scheduled start time and the game was eventually cancelled in the bottom of the second inning due to inclement weather in the area.

The game was originally scheduled to start at 5 p.m., but the teams did not take the field until 7 p.m. to play the final game of a three-game series which had been scheduled to be played back on March 17.

Illinois State took advantage of a hit batter to jump out to an early 1-0 lead.  Laura Canopy was hit by a pitch with two outs in the bottom of the first and came around to score on singles by Elizabeth Kay and Nichelle Harrison. 

With one out and a pair of Illinois State runners on base in the bottom of the second inning the game was suspended and later cancelled due to the lightning in the area.  The game will not be rescheduled.

Bradley closes out the regular season at home with a three-game series against Missouri State at Laura Bradley Park.  The Braves and Bears will play a noon doubleheader Saturday and a single game at noon on Sunday.  The games will be the final home contests for Bradley senior Mackenzie Camp (Mapleton, Ill./Limestone).