The 2nd Annual Bradley Softball Long Ball Derby took place Friday, February 3, 2023, at the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria. With 100% of the proceeds benefiting the Bradley Softball program, the event saw all 2023 team members, coaches and celebrity hitters take their best swings in support of the Braves.

The pace was set early with sophomore pitcher Abbott Badgley swatting a ball 261 feet. Each hitter was allowed 10 swings in an effort to record their longest hit. Utilizing the state-of-the-art Hit Trax system, longest balls were logged throughout the event. Donors then pledged a specified amount "per foot" in support of their chosen hitter(s). Several other Braves reached the 240 and 250 foot marks throughout the event. In total, 23 hitters stepped to to the plate during the event and the average "long ball" traveled over 215 feet.
 
Head Softball Coach Sarah Willis said, "The long ball derby was a great experience for our student-athletes. It was an opportunity for our players to have some fun and showcase their athleticism at the plate while being supported by family, friends and Bradley Softball donors. It is an event that we look forward to doing each year going forward and there is no better way to kick off the 2023 season!" 

The Long Ball Derby has become a fun and engaging way to support the Softball Program. Partnering with CUE Audio and utilizing their "Pledge Per" technology, this year's event saw 82 donors make 96 pledges "per foot," resulting in $12,522.00 raised for the program. Sr. Assoc. Athletic Director of Development J Locklier added, "This was a great day for Bradley Softball. This event is such a fun and unique way to support and engage with the program. The amount of support shown for our student-athletes was tremendous and we can't thank the families, friends, alumni and donors of Bradley Softball enough!"

See below for a listing of each participants "long ball":

Abbott Badgley: 261 feet
Grace French: 256 feet
Bailey Sample: 248 feet
Kierston McCoy: 240 feet
Ashley Breeding: 239 feet
Addison Pettit: 234 feet
Austin Comstock: 233 feet
Addie Welsh: 232 feet
Hannah Organ: 228 feet
Camryn Schaller: 227 feet
Allie Paregien: 226 feet
Bobby Parker: 223 feet
Lauren DeRolf: 222 feet
Olivia Bradley: 213 feet
Ass. Coach Lauren Gambone: 212 feet
Jordy van der Werf: 207 feet
Raegan Branon: 204 feet
Abigail Tyler: 203 feet
Katie Pederson: 201 feet
Angela Cirone: 187 feet
Asst. Coach Caitlin Gambone: 178 feet
Head Coach Sarah Willis: 155 feet
Karla Bothast: 124 feet