A combination of good weather and great play helped the Illinois State softball team take two wins over Bradley, 6-0, 4-1, in double header action on Saturday afternoon marking the Birds fifth straight win in conference play.
In game two, no runs were scored until the bottom of the third when junior Abbie Scott stepped to the plate. After Shae Wesley laid a bunt in front of home plate, she wheeled to second beating out the throw. Scott then stepped up and tapped a ball of the end of the bat to Amy Tubbs at second base causing her to make an error on the play throwing the ball over first base and into the right field corner. Both Wesley and Scott scored making the score 2-0.
Cutie Taylor hit her sixth bomb of the year over the left field fence in the bottom of the fifth and freshman Mandy Garner hit her first double who then scored off a shot to right field by Wesley.
Bradley scored their only run of the day off of a double by Rachel Gensch who batted in Annie Luttrop who had singled in the previous play.
In game one, Audra Rast came out firing the ball picking up eight strikeouts in the first four innings pitching to only twelve batters. The Braves could only come up with four hits versus Illinois States eight which wasnt enough to contend. Rasts shutout marks her fourth of the season improving her record to 7-2 overall, 3-0 in conference play.
The Redbirds gathered 16 hits in their two games against Bradley pitchers Cristin Evans (1-3) and Kacie Flinn (2-7) who took the losses for the Braves on Saturday.
Head Coach
Melinda Fischer said making smart plays in the field has been key for the Birds.
We took advantage of some of their (Bradley) mistakes, said Fischer. I was very pleased with how we played today. You have to be excited you win your doubleheader in conference play.
The Redbirds face Bradley again Sunday at noon at the Laura Bradley Park in Peoria.
