PEORIA, IL. – The Bradley Braves Softball team earned a 9-2 victory in game one over the Illinois State Redbirds, yet fell 2-9 in the second game of the doubleheader.
Game 1
Illinois State struck first with a two-RBI single in the top of the first inning. Bradley's offensive party started in the bottom of the third inning, as sophomore
Morgan Schlosser took home on a wild pitch, reaching base at the start of the frame with a single up the middle. Sophomore
Olivia Turner hit a double to left center to score one, tying the game at two. In the bottom of the fourth inning, junior
Ella Shafer took home on another wild pitch. Then, just like the previous inning, Turner hit a double to left center, only this time the bases were loaded, leading to Turner's swing bringing all three Bradley runners home. Bradley was on top 6-2. In the sixth inning, senior
Austin Comstock sent a no-doubter over the centerfield wall, scoring two Braves on her home run. Senior
Brynna Seitz singled through the left side of ISU's infield later on in the inning to make it 9-2.
In her first at-bat of the day, senior
Kierston McCoy doubled to left center field. After using her wheels to get the extra base hit, McCoy moves up in the program record books, now tied with Natalie Quinn for the second most career doubles in Bradley Softball history with 43. Her 20th doubles this season puts her in a three-way tie for second place for the most single-season doubles in program history. With one more double, McCoy ties both records. With two doubles, she'll hold the honors alone.
Sophomore
Abby Rusher threw a complete game, allowing just one walk and striking out two Redbirds. Both runs and half the hits she allowed came in the first inning, locking things down against a powerful Redbird offense the rest of her outing. Turner went 2-4, both hits were doubles, earning four RBIs. The other Brave with a multi-RBI day was Comstock, who drove in both runs on her sixth-inning homer. Comstock, Turner and Seitz all earned a pair of hits. Senior
Ashley Breeding, McCoy and Schlosser each reached base with both a hit and a walk.
Game 2
The Redbirds took a quick 5-0 lead after the top of the first inning. In the bottom of the second inning, Turner sent a single through the left side of ISU's defense, as sophomore
Emily Organ worked a four-pitch walk and Wilson singled to load the bases. Turner got out on a fielder's choice, but during the next at-bat, Organ took home on a passed ball. After Organ singled to start the bottom of the fourth frame, Wilson doubled down the right field line to score the catcher, who turned into the designated player the next inning, for the second run of her day.
Bradley outhit ISU during both games of the doubleheader, a combined 18-15. Wilson went 3-3 with her double in game two, as Schlosser notched a pair of hits herself. Comstock and Organ each had a single and a walk. Freshman
Gianna Hillegonds pitched the final two frames of the contest, allowing just one hit. Comstock played three positions today: first base for all seven innings of game one, the DP in game two for the first four innings, then the lefty caught the final three frames.
Up Next...
The Braves and Redbirds will conclude their regular season and settle the series on Saturday, May 2nd, at 2:00 p.m. CT. Senior Day festivities will begin twenty minutes before first pitch, as Bradley will honor ISU's seniors and the six Braves seniors on the field at OSF Healthcare Field at the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex.
