Bradley softball (19-28, 8-13 MVC) spent the past seven days struggling to get its offense going in matchups against Indiana State and Illinois State. The Braves played a three-game series against the Sycamores before reigniting their annual rivalry with the Redbirds.
Friday doubleheader finishes with two losses
Bradley started its series against Indiana State with two games on Friday, which both went to the Sycamores. The first game was scoreless through the first three innings, until Indiana State hit an RBI double in the fourth to take a 1-0 lead.
The Braves took a 2-1 lead after an RBI single from junior third baseman Ashley Breeding in the fifth and an RBI double from senior pitcher Sydney Kennedy in the sixth. Bradley appeared to be in control the rest of the way, until an RBI single from Indiana State that also led to an error brought in two runs. The final game ended 3-2.
In the losing effort, Kennedy gave up only four hits and struck out three batters, while Breeding led the team with two hits in four at-bats.
Unfortunately for the Braves, it did not get any better in the second game, as they failed to score a single run and gave up four in the first four innings. The first consisted of an RBI groundout that sent the Sycamores up 1-0, while an RBI single and a fielder’s choice in the second extended the lead to three.
Indiana State produced its final run in the fourth inning, as a bases-loaded walk gave Indiana State a 4-0 lead that they held onto for the remainder of the game.
Junior pitcher Hannah Organ was in for three innings before being taken out of the game, giving up five hits and three runs, and was credited with the loss. The Braves only had two hits all game, which came from Breeding and freshman first baseman Olivia Turner.
Bradley prevents sweep on Saturday
After losing Friday’s doubleheader by a combined score of 7-2, Bradley had other plans for Saturday. They showed resilience in the first inning, as Turner hit an RBI single into right field and freshman second baseman Morgan Schlosser walked with the bases loaded to bring in another run.
The score was locked at 2-0, thanks to a stellar performance from Kennedy in the circle. The junior gave up just three hits and had six strikeouts on the mound. The Braves finished off their opponent in the sixth inning after an RBI double from Breeding was cranked into left-center. Kennedy kept the Sycamores scoreless and helped the Braves win their final game against Indiana State, 4-0.
Breeding, once again, led the team with two hits, with Turner, Kennedy and senior shortstop Addie Welsh providing the other hits of the game.
Comeback attempt stuffed on Tuesday
Bradley wasn’t done with Missouri Valley Conference softball games yet this week, as they still had to take on Illinois State. These two have faced off twice this season in Peoria, with the Redbirds winning 6-3 and 1-0, respectively.
This matchup was no exception, as Illinois State started off flying with a two-RBI double into left in the first inning. The second inning consisted of another two-RBI double, this time to left center, and a three-RBI triple to left center.
Just like that, the Redbirds were up 7-0 by the second. The organ was taken out of the game with runners on second and third base before the five runs in the second inning were scored, earning the loss. Kennedy pitched the rest of the game.
Bradley’s fifth inning helped gain momentum, as freshman left fielder Emily Organ reached on a fielder’s choice that sent Schlosser home, and junior right fielder Kierston McCoy hit an RBI single to left. It was 7-2 going into the seventh inning, and Bradley needed something big. McCoy provided again, hitting another RBI single to make it 7-3, but that was all the Braves could end with.
McCoy had three hits and two RBIs, while Breeding and senior designated hitter Abbott Badgley provided another two hits each.
Bradley’s final homestand of the year starts this weekend, as the Braves host the Evansville Purple Aces in an MVC series beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday.
