PEORIA, Ill. – Prevailing through the windy conditions in Peoria, Illinois State struck early and topped Bradley, 6-2 to earn their fifth sweep of the 2017 season.
Jordan de los Reyes led the Redbirds' offense, belting her 51st career home run with four RBIs on the day. Alyssa Wiebel and Shannon Felde also recorded two-hit games. In the circle, Sarah Finck tossed her 20th win of the season and 21st complete game.
"We started off really strong offensively, continuing into the second inning then two more runs in the fourth," head coach Melinda Fischer said. "We could have made better adjustments offensively, but defensively with the turf, we adjusted very well. Both teams played great, considering the win today. Sarah did a great job in the circle. It's been a while since we've had a 20-win pitcher. We look for her to continue that."
Sitting atop the league standings, the Redbirds own a 12-game MVC winning streak, the program's longest Valley streak since 1997. Illinois State improves to 28-17, 18-3 on the season while Bradley drops to 19-29, 5-16 in the Valley.
After a leadoff walk, a Felde single to center field put the Redbirds in scoring position early on in the ballgame. De los Reyes knocked a sac-fly to right field for an early one-run lead.
Illinois State capitalized on a hit, two walks and a hit-by-pitch in the second inning, plating three runs to take a 4-0 lead. Riley Hale drove in the first run on a single to center, followed by a Felde hit-by-pitch for a second run. De lose Reyes belted her second sac-fly of the game, upping the score to 4-0. Â
The Braves answered back with their first hit by Gabby Stoner to center field. Kelly Kapp put down a second single but a barehanded grab by Wiebel led to an out at second to keep Bradley off the board. Bradley continued into the fourth inning, belting back-to-back hits to begin the inning. Caitlyn McCarron scored the Braves' first run despite an Alex Caliva – Riley Strandgard – Allison Spence double play in the inning.
Both Wiebel and Caliva tallied lead off singles in the third and sixth innings, respectively, but the pair was left on.
In the top of the seventh, Illinois State continued to attack with a pair of singles. Wiebel send a well-placed single to center before Strandgard did the same, but the pair was left on base.
The Braves did not quit, plating one run on two hits in the seventh. Kealia Wysocki tripled down the right before an Elizabeth Leonard RBI single doubled their score. However, a Finck – Spence double play clinched the 6-2 win and the Redbirds' fourth consecutive MVC sweep.
Bradley's starter Emma Jackson took the loss in 4.0 innings with Julie Kestas closing out the ballgame.
Up next, Illinois State travels to Evansville on Saturday and Sunday for a three-game series. Â
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