The Braves headed up to Chicago for a weekend series against the UIC Flames, taking two of the three games.
In the opening game, Bradley found itself playing from behind after UIC put up four runs between the first two innings. A double from
Jordy van der Werf gave the Braves a scoring chance that didn't go to waste. With
Abigail Tyler running for van der Werf, she advanced to third on a fielder's choice and would score on a single from
Lauren DeRolf. The Braves would tally another run when
Grace French scored on a single from
Kierston McCoy, putting the score at 2-4. Bradley would continue to score in the fourth thanks to a home run from
Addie Welsh that made it a one run game. Back-to-back singles from Welsh and
Angela Cirone gave the Braves another chance, and both runners advanced after van der Werf grounded out. French stepped up to the plate and picked up an RBI on a sac fly to left that scored Cirone and tied the game. With either team unable to score in the seventh, the game went to extra innings. Cirone would single and then move over to second on a sac bunt. van der Werf once again smacked a double to center, scoring Cirone and ultimately giving the Braves a 5-4 win over the flames. French threw all eight innings in the circle, striking out two and walking one. Cirone was 2-2 with two singles and two runs scored. Welsh went 2-3 with one home run, one RBI and one run scored, and van der Werf went 2-3 with two doubles and an RBI.
The second game of the series would be another one run affair. UIC took the lead in the fourth and extended it to 4-0 in the fifth. The Braves wouldn't get on the board until the top of the seventh.
Bailey Sample came in to pinch hit for DeRolf and picked up a single. DeRolf then came back in to run and ended up on second after McCoy walked.
Abbott Badgley delivered a massive double, scoring both runners and bringing the Braves within two. Badgley would go on to score after back-to-back singles from Welsh and van der Werf, but the Braves ultimately lost 3-4.
Camryn Schaller threw four innings, striking out four and walking three, and Badgley finished the game in the circle, striking out two and giving up two hits.
The series finale on Sunday would belong to the Braves in another strong showing. Bradley immediately got on the board in the first, with
Austin Comstock picking up her the first home run of her career that put the team up 2-0. UIC cut the lead in half in the bottom of the inning, but it would be the only run of the game for the Flames. Bradley would extend its lead in the sixth. After McCoy reached on an error, Comstock picked up a double, advancing to third on an error and scoring McCoy to push the lead to 3-1. Comstock would then score on a fielder's choice during Badgley's at bat, leaving the score at 4-1 as the final. French once again threw a complete game, striking out three and walking none. Comstock went 2-3 with one double, one home run, three RBI and two runs scored. French went 2-4 with one double and one single, and Welsh went 2-3 with two singles.
The Braves will return home to face the Belmont Bruins in the final series of the regular season.