PEORIA, Ill. – Sophomore Elizabeth Leonard (Olathe, Kan./Olathe East) had a three-run triple in the second and senior Kendall Duffy (Naperville, Ill./Benet Academy) added a two-run triple in the third as the pair helped Bradley top I-74 rival Illinois State 5-3 Thursday afternoon at Laura Bradley Park. 

Thursday's contest was the first of what was a scheduled doubleheader, but a near 70-minute rain delay in the top of the third inning forced the teams to reschedule the nightcap.  Bradley and Illinois State were slated to close the series Tuesday with a 5 p.m. game in Normal, Ill., but will now play a doubleheader Tuesday with the start time to be announced later on.

Illinois State (13-27 overall, 5-9 MVC) opened up the scoring in the top of the second with pitcher Sarah Finck helping her cause by belting a two-out solo homer to left. 

Bradley (14-22 overall, 8-7 MVC) answered with three runs on just one hit in the bottom half of the second, however.  Sophomore Maria Schroeder (Lake Zurich, Ill./Lake Zurich) was hit by her league-high ninth pitch of the year to leadoff the inning and Duffy drew a walk.  Freshman Gabby Stoner (Rockford, Ill./Boylan Catholic) was hit by a pitch to load the bases and Leonard ripped a base-clearing double to left center to give the Braves a 3-1 lead. 

In the top of the third, Illinois State got a pair of one-out singles and had runners at first and second when the tarp was brought out onto the field.  A little over an hour later play resumed with freshman Megan Mahaffy (Crystal Lake, Ill./Crystal Lake Central) taking over in the circle for the Braves in relief of starter Jaelen Hull (Clifton, Ill./Bishop McNamar), who was hit with a comebacker just before the rain delay.

Mahaffy struck out the first two batters she faced to get out of the jam unscathed and the Braves tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the third.  Senior Rachel Huggins (Mt. Zion, Ill./Mt. Zion) had a one-out single and Schroeder drew a 10-pitch walk before Duffy plated both with a triple down the right field line to give Bradley a 5-1 advantage. 

The Redbirds threatened in the top of the fifth with a two-out walk and single, but Mahaffy got another strikeout to end the frame and sat the Redbirds down in order in the sixth. 

Bradley tried to add insurance runs in the sixth, loading the bases with only one out on a pair of singles and walk.  The Braves weren't able to scratch out another run and left the bases loaded. 

Trailing 5-1 heading to the seventh, Illinois State tried to rally after Shannon Felde had a single to open the inning.  Regan Romshek drove her in with a double to right center and it was a 5-3 lead when Romshek scored on a Riley Standgard hit and Bradley error on the play.  Mahaffy settled down to get a groundout to close the 5-3 win as she earned her team-best sixth victory (6-1) of the year.  She struck out five in 4.2 innings out of the bullpen.

The Braves continue a four-game home stand with a three-game weekend series against Southern Illinois.  Bradley and the Salukis will open the set with a noon doubleheader Saturday at Laura Bradley Park.