NORMAL, Ill. – Fifth-year senior Emme Olson knocked her 200th career hit in her first at-bat against the Braves and helped lead Illinois State (21-17, 11-3 MVC) to a series sweep of Bradley (10-32, 2-13) in a 10-2 victory for the Redbirds on Tuesday evening.
Olson, the Redbirds' starting second baseman, is only the seventh Redbird in program history to collect 200+ career hits in her time at Illinois State. She was 3-for-3 at the plate against Bradley, giving her 202 career hits, and she ended the night a triple shy of the cycle.
BIRDS BITS
Offensive Highlights:
- Emme Olson: 3-for-3, 2B, HR, RBI, 2 R
- Abby Knight: 2-for-2, 2B, BB, 2 RBI, 2 R
- Jayden Standish: 1-for-1, 2 BB, 2 RBI, R
- Dayna Kennedy: 2-for-3, RBI
- Chloe Jefferson: 2-for-3, RBI
Pitching Breakdown:
HOW IT HAPPENED
Senior pitcher Hannah Ross made quick work of the Braves in the top of the first as she only needed five pitches to record three outs and send the Redbirds into the home half of the inning.
Illinois State jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the first. Sophomore Delainey Bryant led off the inning getting hit by a pitch and a sacrifice bunt by senior Kaili Chval moved Bryant into scoring position. Olson then singled through the left side for her 200thcareer hit and to put runners on the corners for the Redbirds. Sophomore Abby Knight followed Olson by drawing a walk to load the bases and junior Jayden Standish was issued a walk as well to collect an RBI.
With the bases still loaded and one out, a wild pitch from the Braves allowed Olson to score from third to put Illinois State up 2-0. Sophomore Addison Masching drew the third consecutive walk from Bradley's pitcher to reload the bases. Senior Chloe Jefferson delivered an infield single to third base that scored Knight and allowed the bases to remain full of 'Birds. The fourth walk issued in the inning to senior Brandi LaFountaine drove in another run for the Redbirds and forced a pitching change for the Braves as Illinois State led 4-0.
The first batter the new Bradley pitcher faced was senior Dayna Kennedy who singled down the left field line and drove in Masching, but Jefferson was thrown out at the plate as she tried to score from second. The top of the order came around again and Bryant flew out to center for the final out of the inning. The Redbirds went into the second inning leading 5-0.
Another run scored for Illinois State in the bottom of the second as Olson crushed a solo home run over the wall in left field to bring the lead to 6-0 in favor of the 'Birds.
Illinois State entered run-rule territory in the bottom of the fourth as Chval led off the inning with an infield single to the pitcher. Olson collected her third hit of the game as she doubled to right field and the Redbirds had two runners in scoring position. Knight followed Olson with another double to score both runners. Standish then drove in Knight with a single up the middle following another pitching change from the Braves. After four complete innings, Illinois State was up 9-0.
Down to their last three outs due to the run-rule in the fifth inning, the Braves mounted a rally to stay alive. Ross got the first out of the inning on a groundout to Bryant at shortstop, but a pair of singles followed. A wild pitch allowed the runners to both move into scoring position. A single up the middle scored one run and a fielder's choice allowed the second run to cross the plate. As the Redbirds only led by seven now, the game went into the bottom of the fifth.
Bradley recorded the first out of the inning on a strikeout, but Kennedy singled down the left field line to give the Redbirds a runner. Freshman Abby Horton entered to pinch run for Kennedy. Bryant shot a single through the left side, but a fielding error by the left fielder allow Horton to score the winning run. Illinois State defeated Bradley 10-2 in five innings to earn the series sweep of the Braves.
NOTES
- Illinois State earned its third sweep in Valley play so far. The Redbirds have swept Valparaiso, UIC and Bradley while splitting the season series with Belmont. The only series loss the Redbirds have is to Missouri State.
- Olson now has 202 career hits which is seventh in program history. She also knocked her 49th career double which ties her for the program record for career doubles with Kara Nelson.
- Ross dished four strikeouts and ended the night with 200 career Ks in the circle. It is also her third victory in the last seven days and she improves to 7-7 on the season.
ON DECK
Illinois State (21-17, 11-3 MVC) travels to Des Moines, Iowa on April 14-16 for a three-game series with Drake (11-23, 4-9 MVC).
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