May 8, 2010
Final Stats
PEORIA, Ill. - Abby Olson hit a solo home run in Saturday's second game and led the Illinois State softball team to a doubleheader sweep over Missouri Valley Conference opponent Bradley at the Laura Bradley Park in Peoria, Ill. In the first game, the Redbirds shut out the Braves, 2-0, and won the second contest, 7-0.Olson's home run was her 18th of the season, which moved her into a first-place tie for the most home runs hit in a season. Olson is tied with Emily Krueger, who hit 18 homers during the 2004 season.
The ISU bats got a work out Saturday afternoon, as four Redbird batters sent shots out of the park. Beth Current hit a solo homer in the first game followed by home runs coming from Elizabeth Kay, Niki Stansell and Olson in Saturday's second game.
In the circle, Megan Warner grabbed the win in the first game and improved her record to 13-8. Warner struck out nine Bradley batters, which set a new season and career best for the sophomore from Milan, Ill. Jordan Birch improved her record to 16-7 and struck out nine in the second game.
Game One Recap: Illinois State 2, Bradley 0
The Redbirds (31-16, 18-5 MVC) jumped ahead of the Braves (15-33, 5-20 MVC) in the second inning when Jessica Roche hit a single up the middle and drove in Stansell, who reached base with a single to center field. Despite scoring one run and taking a quick lead over Bradley, Illinois State left the bases loaded to end the inning.
In the bottom of the fifth with two outs, Bradley's Jacqueline Vitale hit a single to Roche in right field. Roche fielded the ball and gunned it home to Kay, who tagged out Taylor Cox at the plate to keep the Redbirds' one run-lead.
Current hit a solo shot over the center field wall in the top of the sixth increasing ISU's lead by two. The home run was the third of the season for the senior center fielder.
Two Braves reached base in the bottom of the seventh, but Bradley was not able to push across any runs giving Warner the shut out, which was her fourth of the season. With the victory, the Redbirds recorded their 30th win of the season.
Game Two Recap: Illinois State 7, Bradley 0
Kara Nelson reached first on a fielding error by Lindsay Watkins and advanced to second on bunt single by Stansell. Olson hit a sacrifice fly to move Nelson and Stansell into scoring position. Nelson scored on a wild pitch by Amanda Clack to give ISU a quick one-run lead in the first.
In the third, Stansell doubled to right field and moved to third on a wild pitch. Kay hit a sacrifice fly and pushed across Stansell to increase ISU's lead by two.
Olson hit a solo shot over the left field fence in the top of the fifth followed by Stansell's three-run home run in the sixth. The home run marked the fifth of the season for the senior shortstop.
Kay continued the power surge in the top of the seventh when she hit a homer over the left center field wall. The homer was the 12th on the season for the freshman from Bartlett, Ill. Bradley was not able to push any runs across and was shut out for the second time.
Illinois State will return to the field Sunday for its final regular-season game against Bradley. The first pitch is scheduled for noon.
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