AUBURN, AL – On day two of the War Eagle Classic, the Braves faced an in-state matchup against the Illinois Fighting Illini and a second face off against the heavy hitting Auburn Tigers. The Braves dropped both games of the day, scoring a total of ten runs with Ashley Breeding, Emily Organ, and Hilary Wilson scoring two each.
Game 1
Bradley (3-4) dropped a 10-5 decision to Illinois (3-7) in the first game of the day, as the Illini used a pair of big innings to build an early advantage. Sophomore RHP Abby Rusher pitched for the first four innings for the Braves. After a hard fought first two innings, Rusher gave up four runs in the third. Freshman Gianna Hillegonds took over in the fifth completing her fifth appearance of the season. Offensively, Bradley showed fight late, erupting for five runs in the sixth inning behind timely hitting, highlighted by a two-RBI single from Hilary Wilson and an RBI knock from Olivia Turner, but the comeback effort came up short as Illinois knocked in six runs in final two innings to seal the deal. Austin Comstock, Ashley Breeding, Ella Shafer, Hilary Wilson, and Olivia Turner accounted for the Braves five runs.
Game 2
In Game two of the day, Bradley (3-5) battled Auburn (8-2), falling 13-5 in five innings. Senior RHP Kinsley Robertson opened again for the Braves pitching for 1.1 innings. Sophomore pitcher Abby Rusher took over for the remainder of the game. While Auburn maintained their hot hitting streak, the Braves were able to fight back in the second and third innings scoring five runs. Emily Organ went 2-2 scoring two of Bradley's five runs with the remaining runs coming from Hilary Wilson, Hannah Brooks, and Ashley Breeding. Austin Comstock stayed hot this game, tapping three hits in three at bats. Auburn ended the game on a walk-off in the bottom the fifth.
Up Next
The third day of the War Eagle Classic was called due to incoming weather, effectively canceling the Braves remaining game of the weekend against Binghamton. Bradley returns to the field next weekend at the Blues City Invitational in Memphis, TN for another five-game slate.
