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Illinois State University Athletics

Delainey DP
5
Winner Bradley BRAD 23-21, 11-10 MVC
2
Illinois State ILS 19-25, 9-11 MVC
Winner
Bradley BRAD
23-21, 11-10 MVC
5
Final
2
Illinois State ILS
19-25, 9-11 MVC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Bradley BRAD 0 1 2 0 0 0 2 5 10 0
Illinois State ILS 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 6 0

W: French (9-8) L: Ross, Hannah (9-13)

Game Recap: Softball | | Claire Trattner

Defense Shines in Series Finale Loss to Braves

NORMAL, Ill. – Three double plays turned by the Redbird defense could not stop Bradley (23-21, 11-10 MVC) from taking a 5-2 victory over Illinois State (19-25, 9-11 MVC) in the series finale between the rivalry squads. 

BIRD BITS

Offensive Highlights:

Pitching Breakdown:

HOW IT HAPPENED

  • The Redbirds were able to flash some leather early as Delainey Bryant turned a double play to end the first inning. Bryant scooped a ground ball, made the force out unassisted at second and threw to first to complete the play.
  • The Braves were the first on the board as the designated player for Bradley, Abbott Badgley, hit a solo home run in the top of the second. Bradley scored again in the top of the third, tacking on two more runs on a two-out double by left fielder Samantha Smith. 
  • Illinois State collected its first hit of the day in the bottom of the fourth as Kaili Chval hit a bouncer back to circle for an infield single. Emme Olson followed up with a single to left field, but the runners were left stranded as the Redbirds were unable to score. 
  • Dayna Kennedy led off the bottom of fifth with a single to left field, and Madi Bylak entered to pinch run. After a hard-hit line drive to the shortstop, Michele Calabrese drew a one-out walk to put runners on first and second. Reili Gardner slapped a single through the right side as Bylak was able to score and the runners advanced on the throw. Bryant then hit a sacrifice fly to right field to bring Calabrese home, Braves leading 3-2 through five.  
  • A leadoff walk was erased in the top of the sixth by another double play as Calabrese caught a fly ball in right and threw to first to double the runner up, allowing the game to stay at 3-2. 
  • Redbirds had another opportunity to score with two runners on in the bottom of the sixth as Abby Knight collected a single to left and Kennedy followed with a walk, but Illinois State came up empty. 
  • The Braves broke it open in the top of the seventh as Jordy van der Werf led the inning off with a home run to left center. Another single followed, but the Redbirds' turned their third double play of the night as Jayden Standish reached to catch a ball in foul territory and made a snap throw to first to erase the single. Bradley then smashed its third home run of the night, a solo shot by Lucy Mead, to give the Braves a 5-2 lead heading into the final frame. 
  • The Redbirds went down in order in the bottom of the seventh to end the game at 5-2, and drop the final game of the three-game series to Bradley. 

ON DECK

The Redbirds are back at Marian Kneer Stadium on Saturday, April 30 to begin a three-game series with the Valparaiso Beacons (12-28, 3-18 MVC). Saturday will feature a doubleheader starting at 12 p.m. CT followed by a single game on Sunday, May 1 at 12 p.m. CT.    

For updates on Illinois State Softball, follow the Redbirds on Twitter (@RedbirdsSB), Instagram (@redbirdsoftball), and Facebook (Illinois State Redbird Softball).

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