BIRMINGHAM, Al– The Braves finished out the Green and Gold Classic going 2-1 in their remaining three games, to finish out the tournament 2-3.
Game 3
Bradley 3, Western Carolina 1
The Braves had a comeback win, to notch their first on the weekend against the Western Carolina Catamounts.
The Catamounts struck early in the first, but Abbott Badgley and the Braves defense were able to hold them to just that. Badgley pitched a complete game with eight strikeouts.
The Braves were able to make a comeback in the third inning, to tie up the game on a Kierston McCoy single. In the sixth inning, the Braves broke the game open on a Jordy van def Werf double to score Ashley Breeding and Allie Paregien.
"The team's late inning rallies have shown there is a lot of fight in our players," said Bradley head coach Sarah Willis. "What they need to continue to bring is the fight in all 7 innings so they can continue to put pressure on their opponents."
Game 4
#10 Alabama 10, Bradley 1
The Braves struck early against the undefeated Roll Tide as Kierston McCoy hit a homerun to left field in the 2nd inning to continue her strong weekend at the plate.
"McCoy has tremendous ability and upside at the plate. We are starting to see her settle in and focus on her approach," said Bradley head coach Sarah Willis. "She is starting to find her focus and what she has to do prior to stepping in the box so she can remain neutral and let the training take over."
Camryn Schaller took the loss for the Braves but had zero earned runs against, while recording two strikeouts in 4.2 innings of work
Game 5
Bradley 4, Western Carolina 1
The Braves close out the weekend on a win, as they take down the Catamounts for the second time in as many days. In similar fashion, the Braves came back in the later innings to pull off the victory.
Bradley was able to establish an early lead, but Western Carolina responded quickly in the third. The two teams remained tied until the sixth inning when Tori Meyer had an RBI single to score two, which was then followed by another RBI single by Bailey Sample.
Sydney Kennedy threw a complete game for the Braves recording nine strikeouts, which is the game high this season. Kennedy also recorded her second win of the season, which leads all Braves pitchers.
"Sydney is doing a great job of attacking hitters early and working ahead. It has allowed her to throw her game, said Bradley head coach Sarah Willis. "She has come up with several big strikeouts this year and has at times picked up her defense."
Coming Up…
The Braves will travel to Murfreesboro, TN to play in the MTSU Invitational on March 1-3rd.
