NORMAL, Ill. – After sweeping the UIC Flames in a three-game weekend series at home, Illinois State (17-15, 7-1 MVC) will travel to Bradley (10-26, 2-7 MVC) for a doubleheader between the Redbirds and Braves on Wednesday, Apr. 5 starting at 3 p.m. CT.
The original schedule had Illinois State and Bradley playing on Tuesday, Apr. 4 at 5 p.m. CT and again on Wednesday, Apr. 5 at 5 p.m. CT, but due to the forecasted weather on Tuesday, the Redbirds and Braves moved Tuesday's game to Wednesday for a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m. CT.
The three-game series between the Redbirds and Braves will finish with the series finale on Tuesday, Apr. 11 at 5 p.m. CT at Marian Kneer Stadium in Normal, Ill.
SERIES SCHEDULE
Wednesday, April 5 – Illinois State at Bradley – 3 p.m. CT (ESPN+)
Wednesday, April 5 – Illinois State at Bradley – 5:30 p.m. CT (ESPN+) [will begin 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one]
SERIES HISTORY
Illinois State and Bradley met for the 99th, 100th and 101st times last season. Bradley took the season series 2-1 in 2022 as the Braves took the first game and the rubber match between the squads. The rivalry between these two schools in every sport is one of the greatest rivalries in the Missouri Valley Conference - the I-74 Rivalry. Illinois State currently holds the all-time series record over the Braves at 74-27, but the Braves have won three of the last four games played between these two squads.
Illinois State and Bradley met for the 99th, 100th and 101st times last season. Bradley took the season series 2-1 in 2022 as the Braves took the first game and the rubber match between the squads. The rivalry between these two schools in every sport is one of the greatest rivalries in the Missouri Valley Conference - the I-74 Rivalry. Illinois State currently holds the all-time series record over the Braves at 74-27, but the Braves have won three of the last four games played between these two squads.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Bradley currently holds a 10-26 record while posting a 2-7 conference record. The Braves' two conference wins were over Evansville to win the series 2-1, but Bradley got swept by MVC newcomer Murray State and UNI so far this season. At one point, Bradley had won four in a row, but the Braves are currently on a nine-game slide with their last win coming against Evansville on Mar. 19.
The Braves ended at .500 with a 26-26 overall record while posting a 13-14 record in conference play in 2022. Bradley collected two series sweeps over Valparaiso and Southern Illinois in 2022 while also winning the series over Illinois State 2-1. The Braves only got swept once themselves against Drake, but they one at least one game of every other MVC series a season ago. Grace French, a graduate pitcher/utility, earned NFCA All-Region honors for the Braves in 2022. Bradley also had four players earned All-MVC honors during the 2022 season.
NEWS & NOTES
National Stats: As a team, Illinois State is in the top 50 in the country in doubles and doubles per game. The Redbirds sit at 37th in the nation in doubles with 36 while rank 34th in doubles per game with 1.57. These marks are both second-best in the conference as well. Individually, sophomore Delainey Bryant is 27th in the nation in doubles with 8 and 50th in doubles per game (0.35).
UIC Series Recap: Illinois State was able to earn its second series sweep of the season as the Redbirds swept UIC at home on Apr. 1-2. Illinois State beat the Flames 2-0 in the first game before executing a come from behind victory in the second game of the series to win 6-3. The series finale was a 15-6 victory for Illinois State that was capped off by a three-run home run from senior Dayna Kennedy to walk it off in the bottom of the sixth inning. Senior Brandi LaFountaine also hit a home run in the final game - her first of the season and her second career home run.
Elite Company: Senior Kaili Chval and sophomore Delainey Bryant both scored 4 runs in the 14-3 victory over Valparaiso on Mar. 24. They are only the third pair of teammates to score 4+ runs each in a single game this season in NCAA Division I softball. The first to do it was Texas A&M teammates Trinity Cannon and Koko Wooley who scored 4 runs each in a victory over Texas A&M-Commerce. Grace Lyons and Jocelyn Erickson from Oklahoma also achieved this feat as Lyons crossed the plate 5 times and Erickson 4 times in a win over Stephen F. Austin (SFA).
For updates on Illinois State Softball, follow the Redbirds on Twitter (@RedbirdsSB), Instagram (@redbirdsoftball), and Facebook (Illinois State Redbird Softball).
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