Bradley softball (4-10) traveled to Bowling Green, Kentucky, to compete in the Hilltopper Classic and returned with two wins and two losses.
The Braves started the classic against the Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs. Bradley hit the ground running, scoring two runs in the first inning, and junior Kierston McCoy hit a home run to center field, bringing senior Bailey Sample home.
The Braves didn’t allow their opponents on base for the first three innings, and scored two runs in the bottom of the third when junior Ashley Breeding hit a two-run home run to left center.
The Bulldogs attempted to come back in the fifth inning with a home run, but the Braves quickly shut them down and won the game 4-1.
Their next game was against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. The Braves quickly adapted to their opponents, scoring two runs in the second inning and another in the third.
The Hilltoppers broke through in the fourth inning by scoring two runs before suddenly scoring four in the fifth to take the lead. Despite the Braves’ efforts in the seventh inning to make a comeback, the Hilltoppers took the game 6-4.
The next day, the Braves had their second game against the Bulldogs, in which both teams played fiercely to put the first runs on the board.
After five innings, the Bulldogs put the Braves in a challenging position with the bases loaded, scoring their first run on a walk and a second due to a hit by pitch. The Braves put their first run up in the sixth inning before accelerating in the seventh, scoring three more runs to win the game 4-2.
For the Braves’ second game against the Hilltoppers, none of the teams allowed the other to break through until the first batter for the Braves in the fourth inning. Sample came in hot with a home run to left center for the game’s first runt. However, the Hilltoppers tied the game in the fifth inning.
The intensity rose between both teams as they were desperate to take the game. Ultimately, the Hilltoppers were victorious with a run in the seventh inning that won them the game 2-1.
Sample was named this week’s Busey Bank Scholar-Athlete of the Week after hitting.636 with a .733 on base percentage across four games in the Hilltopper Classic.
The Braves will travel to Miami, Florida, this weekend to play in the FIU Classic.
