NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State softball (19-24, 9-10 MVC) split the first two games of the series with Bradley (22-21, 10-10 MVC) on April 19, and now the squads will meet at Marian Kneer Stadium for the final game on Wednesday, April 27 at 5 p.m. CT.
GAME INFORMATION
Illinois State (19-24, 9-10 MVC) vs. Bradley (22-21, 10-10 MVC)
Dates/Times:
Wednesday, April 27 – 5 p.m. CT
City: Normal, Ill.
Field: Marian Kneer Stadium
TV: ESPN+ ($$$)
SERIES HISTORY
The I-74 rivalry began last week with a doubleheader at Bradley, that was split between the two squads. The Redbirds currently hold the all-time series advantage over the Braves, 74-26, and ISU won the 100th matchup between these two programs, which was the second game of the doubleheader last week. Illinois State won the series a season ago, but the Braves avoided the series sweep by taking the final game. The Braves beat the Redbirds in the first game of the series, 4-3, on a walk-off double. Illinois State bounced back to win the second game of the series, 6-1, with Dayna Kennedy going 2-for-3 with 4 RBI and a run scored.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
In 2021, the Braves were 20-22 overall with a 12-15 conference record to put them sixth in the conference. Bradley beat Indiana State in the first round of the MVC tournament, only to lose to Missouri State in round two. The Braves enter this midweek matchup after losing the series to Evansville (1-2). Bradley is currently 22-21 and 10-10 in conference. The Braves have earned series wins over SIU (3-0) and Valpo (3-0), but lost their series to Evansville (1-2), Indiana State (1-2), Drake (0-3) and Loyola (1-2).
LAST TIME OUT FOR THE 'BIRDS:
The Redbirds traveled to Peoria, Ill. to take on the Braves in a doubleheader last week. The squads split, each team taking a game. Pitcher Hannah Ross struck out 8 batters in the first game, a new career high for the junior. Jayden Standish and Dayna Kennedy both went deep to left field to combine for 7 RBI between the two games. After that, the Redbirds got swept by the UNI Panthers in a three-game series. Kennedy hit another two home runs to bring her season total to seven and she collected three RBI.
NOTES
BOOM GOES THE DAYNA-MITE: Another big power weekend for the junior out of Decatur, as catcher Dayna Kennedy blasted two home runs in the doubleheader against UNI. Kennedy, over the three-game series, was 4-for-7 with 2 HR, 3 RBI, and 2 R. She was solid behind the plate as well. Kennedy caught three runners stealing against the Panthers, a team that steals a lot of bases.
NATIONAL STATS: Freshman Delainey Bryant is currently tied for 28th in NCAA Division I softball for triples in the 2022 season, currently with 4. Only three freshmen are ranked in the top 50 in triples this season. Bryant is also tied for 40th in triples per game this season, playing in 42 games with 4 triples (.10 PG). There are only 6 freshmen in the top 50 in triples per game.
ALL GOOD THINGS MUST COME TO AN END: Senior second baseman Emme Olson held a reached base safely streak of 32 consecutive games, dating back to February 20 against Portland State when the Redbirds won their first game of the season. She tied the longest known reached base safely streak in ISU history at 32 consecutive games, set by Kara Nelson in 2011. The streak ended in the first game of the series vs. UNI as Olson was unable to reach safely (4/23).
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