Bradley softball (9-13) returned home with two wins and two losses after traveling to West Lafayette, Ind., to compete in the Boilermaker Classic.
Simmered down by the Boilermakers
The Braves’ first opponents were the Purdue Boilermakers (15-9). Both teams were locked in a scoreless battle for the first three innings.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Boilermakers ended the battle by putting a run on the board. The Braves struggled with offensive play after the Boilermakers scored two additional runs in the bottom of the fifth.
Things turned around for the Braves after an error on the Boilermakers’ behalf put senior shortstop Addie Welsh on base. A single to right center field from junior utility-pitcher Kierston McCoy brought Welsh home for the Braves’ first run.
While the Braves had a better batting performance in the sixth inning, the game ultimately was rewarded to the Boilermakers, 3-1.
“Going into it we had a rough first go,” McCoy said. “Just sticking to our plans, staying disciplined and attacking the pitch that we want, we found a gap and were able to get a run across.”
Luck in the Braves’ favor
After a tough loss to the Boilermakers, the Braves were determined to win their next game against the Saint Louis Billikens (9-13).
The Braves significantly improved their offense, compiling hit after hit in the first inning to put two runs on the board, with the RBIs coming from junior outfielder Lauren DeRolf and McCoy. However, the Billikens weren’t too far behind after a home run.
In the second inning, two errors allowed the Billikens to score two runs to tie the game before taking the lead at the end of the inning. The following two innings were scoreless for both teams until the Braves came back in the top of the fifth.
After a double to right center from junior infielder Ashley Breeding, senior outfielder Allie Paregien and senior pitcher Abbott Badgley crossed the plate to put the Braves back in front. A single to right field from freshman infielder Olivia Turner extended their lead, bringing McCoy home.
The Braves worked hard to keep the lead despite a home run from the Billikens in the bottom of the seventh. Their determination crowned them victorious, 5-4.
“Coming off a loss, we were very determined, very motivated to win the day,” McCoy said. “When we go through the line-up a couple times, we almost get frustrated. We know what we can do, we’ve put in the work so we just gotta make it happen.”
Billikens beat, Boilermakers defeat
With a close call against the Billikens in the previous game, the Braves returned with a relentless attitude. Determined to retake the game, the Braves scored one run in the second inning, two in the third and four in the fifth. With only two hits throughout the game, the Billikens stood no chance against the Braves, who took the game 7-0.
Bradley maintained its momentum, hoping to get revenge against Purdue. However, the Boilermakers quickly stopped the energy, scoring two runs in the first inning and two more in the second.
Breeding hit a solo home run, getting the Braves on the board. However, this was the Braves’ first and only run of the game. A gruesome third inning furthered the Boilermakers’ lead by 10 runs. Clenching down on defense after the barrage of runs didn’t save the Braves from defeat, suffering a devastating 11-1 loss.
“That game [against the Boilermakers] was definitely tough,” McCoy said. “At the end we came together, picked out a couple strengths and a couple weaknesses and took that into practice this week. We had a lot to work on this week but we came up with a lot of positives, we have a lot of plans. Everyone is excited to be in conference play [this weekend] and we are ready to let it happen.”
The Braves travel next to Murray, Kentucky, to kick off conference play on Friday against the Murray State Racers.
