PEORIA, Ill. — Illinois State softball closed out the regular season with a 9–1 victory over Bradley in five innings to clinch the series on Saturday at OSF Healthcare Field.
A six-run third frame and a complete game from Paige McLeod helped the Redbirds improve to 27–20 overall and 16–12 in Missouri Valley Conference play. The Redbirds recorded nine runs on nine hits while holding Bradley to one run on four hits.
In the victory, Tatum Wolford became the 23rd individual in program history and second Redbird this season (Bella Atkinson) to join the school's 40-40 club, amassing at least two of the three in a single season: 40 hits, 40 RBIs and 40 runs scored. Wolford currently has 42 hits and 40 runs scored this season.
BIRD BITS (Game 3 vs. Bradley)
Offensive Highlights:
Tatum Wolford: 2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI, 1 R
Ava Boyer: 2-for-2, RBI, BB, 1 R
Lauren Flowers: 1-for-2, RBI, BB, 2 R
Bailah Bognar: 1-for-2, RBI, 1 R
Morgan Calhoun: 1-for-3, RBI
Bella Atkinson: 2-for-4, RBI
Pitching Breakdown:
Paige McLeod (W, 18-5): 5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
HOW IT HAPPENED
Bradley opened the scoring in the first inning, but Illinois State responded with two runs in the second, taking advantage of walks and hit-by-pitches to move ahead.
The Redbirds broke the game open in the third inning, plating six runs on four hits and capitalizing on multiple Bradley errors to extend the lead to 8–1. Wolford, Bailah Bognar and Ava Boyer each recorded run-scoring singles in the third, while Hannah Meeks and Atkinson both put the ball in play to knock in the Redbirds' other two runs in the inning.
Illinois State added an insurance run in the fifth on an RBI single from Morgan Calhoun to cap the scoring.
In the circle, McLeod (18–5) earned the win, allowing one run on four hits with three walks and one strikeout over five innings of work.
ON DECK
The Redbirds will open postseason play at the MVC Tournament hosted by Southern Illinois in Carbondale, Ill., on Wednesday. Illinois State earned the No. 5 seed and will take on No. 4 seed Northern Iowa at noon CT. For more information, click here.
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