TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State softball escaped the jaws of a doubleheader sweep with a walk-off victory over Bradley in game two to salvage a split with a chance to win the series on Monday.
The Sycamores (15-12, 3-2) were trailing 6-1 entering the bottom of the seventh inning until the offense exploded for six runs in the frame to walk-off the Braves (14-14. 2-3) in game two of the doubleheader. Bradley was victorious in game one, winning 9-1.
Game One
The first game of the afternoon saw a sloppy defensive effort from ISU, as the Sycamores committed five errors in a 9-1 loss.
The ballgame remained scoreless until the fourth inning when the Braves put two runs on the board with a pair of doubles in the frame.
Bella Peterson drove in Indiana State's only run of the contest with an RBI double down the right field line which scored Abi Chipps to make it 2-1 Bradley.
Bradley opened the game up with five runs on four hits in the top of the sixth to take a 7-1 lead.
The Braves added a two-run shot in the seventh to extend their lead to 9-1.
Indiana State finished the game with five hits led by Peterson who went 2-for-2 with a walk and an RBI.
In the circle for the Sycamores, Lexi Benko got the start and gave up six runs while striking out three over five innings of work. Lyndsi Adamson threw two innings in relief, allowing three runs while striking out a pair of Braves hitters. Benko falls to 7-7 on the season with the loss.
Bradley finished the game with nine hits including five that went for extra-bases. Grace French picked up her third win of the season with a complete game, striking out five Sycamores.
Game Two
Facing a five-run deficit entering the bottom of the seventh, the Sycamores did not waver, putting together a six-hit, six-run inning to complete the comeback and walk-off Bradley to win 7-6 and split the doubleheader.
Bradley jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning, hitting a two-run home run after a lead-off single to plate a pair.
In the bottom of the third, Bella Peterson blasted her fifth home run of the season into the trees in centerfield to cut into the Bradley lead, making it a 2-1 game.
After a pair of 1-2-3 innings, the Braves put up a crooked number in the fifth, scoring four runs in the frame to go up 6-2. After a single and a pair of walks, Bradley's Addie Welsh hit a hard groundball towards third base which bounced off Lexie Siwek's glove, allowing two runs to score. A Sycamore throwing error allowed a third run to score on the play and moved Welsh to third base. She would score on an RBI groundout to cap the four-run frame.
Hailey Griffin replaced Cassi Newbanks and was able to retire the side of the fifth and work clean innings in the sixth and seventh to keep the score at 6-1.
Danielle Henning and Randi Jo Pryor led off the bottom of the seventh with back-to-back singles up the middle, forcing a Bradley pitching change. Olivia Patton followed them up with a single of her own to load the bases. Abi Chipps made it a 6-2 game with an RBI single into right field, scoring Henning. Bella Peterson drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to centerfield to score Kennedy Shade and make it a 6-3 game. Following a long at-bat, Cassie Thomerson worked a walk to load the bases.
With the bases loaded, Isabella Henning ripped a double to the wall in left center, clearing the bases and tying the game at six. Lexie Siwek capped the six-run inning with an RBI single up the middle to score Henning and give the Sycamores a 7-6 walk-off victory.
Indiana State finished the game with 10 hits, six of them coming in the game's final frame. Isabella Henning finished 2-for-4 with three RBIs, while Bella Peterson went 2-for-3 with two RBIs to pace the Sycamore offense. Lexie Siwek also reached base three times, finishing 2-for-2 with a walk and an RBI.
Cassi Newbanks struck out four in her four innings of work, allowing four earned runs on five hits. Hailey Griffin allowed just one hit in three innings of relief, striking out three en route to the first victory of her collegiate career.
Around the Horn
-Indiana State now has three walk-off victories this season.
-Lexie Siwek extends her hitting streak to nine games, now batting .342 on the season.
-Bella Peterson has raised her average to .402, going 4-for-6 in the doubleheader.
-With a win tomorrow, Indiana State will win their first series over Bradley since 2017.
Up Next
Indiana State and Bradley will finish their series on Monday with a single game beginning at noon ET at Price Field.
For the latest information on Sycamore Softball, be sure to visit GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
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