NORMAL, Ill. – The Redbirds earned the doubleheader sweep over the Bradley Braves in the midweek series on Wednesday. The Redbirds took game one in a 5-4 walk-off victory, while taking the 7-1 victory in game two.
Adisyn Hopkins hit her first-career home run to walk it off for the 'Birds in game one of the doubleheader. She went 5-for-8 on the day with a .625 avg. in the two games. Delainey Bryant continued both her reaching base streak and hitting streak in both of the games, extending them to 17 and 10, respectively.
BIRDÂ BITS (Game 1)
Offensive Highlights:
- Adisyn Hopkins: 2-for-4, HR, 3 RBI, R
- Bella Wilkerson: 2-for-2, 2B, RBI
- Julia Larson: 2-for-3, R
Pitching Breakdown:
- Hannah Meshnick: 4.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO
- Paige McLeod: (W, 6-5) 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Redbirds and the Braves battled it out for three innings before the first run was scored. In the bottom of the fourth, Ella Boyer singled to right center to put a runner aboard. Boyer then stole second to get into scoring position. On a single from Bella Wilkerson, Boyer came around to plate the first run.
The Braves battled back in the top of the fifth, scoring four runs on three hits and one Redbird error. Going into the bottom of the inning, the Redbirds trailed 4-1, but earned one back on a single from Adisyn Hopkins who scored Delainey Bryant who got on earlier in the inning. The 'Birds continued to chip away in the sixth, adding another run on a pinch hit sac-fly from Madi Bylak to score Larson who led-off the inning with her second hit of the game. The Redbirds headed into their final at-bats with a one-run deficit.
Jayden Standish led-off the bottom of the seventh with an infield single, and was pinch run for by Abby Horton. With one out in the inning, Hopkins sent one over the left field wall for not only the walk-off winner, but her first-career home run as a Redbird.
BIRD BITS (Game 2)
Offensive Highlights:
Pitching Breakdown:
- Paige McLeod: (W, 6-5) 4.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
- Hannah Meshnick: (S, 3) 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 K
HOW IT HAPPENED
Delainey Byrant led off the game with a walk, extending her reaching base streak to 17 consecutive games. On singles from Kaili Chval, and Adisyn Hopkins, Bryant plated the first Redbird run. Chval would then come around to score on a throwing error from the Braves.
In the bottom of the fourth, the 'Birds added another run on two hits. Julia Larson dropped a single in shallow left to begin the inning, before Bryant singled to bring her around. In the next inning, Bradley earned the run back, on two hits, and an error from the 'Birds.
The 'Birds left no room for questioning in the fifth, scoring four runs on three hits. Singles from Abby Knight and Ella Boyer began the inning, and a walk from Larson loaded the bases. Bella Wilkerson earned a walk as well, which brought in the first run of the inning. Hanna Hicks then lined one into left that was deep enough to allow Boyer to plate the second run. Bryant added a single, which allow Larson to score on the throw. After a pitching change, with the bases still loaded, another walk allowed for the fourth run of the inning to cross the plate.
The combination of Paige McLeod and Hannah Meshnick went the distance for the 'Birds, earning the win and the save, respectively.
UP NEXT
The Redbirds will close out their nine-game homestand this weekend with a series against Drake. The first game will be Friday, Mar. 29 at 5:00 p.m. CT. The second game is slated for 2:00 p.m. CT on Saturday, Mar. 30. The last game will take place on Sunday, Mar. 31 at 12:00 p.m. CT.
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