TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State softball captured their first series win over Bradley since 2017 with a 5-4 victory Monday afternoon at Price Field.
 
The Sycamores (16-12, 4-2) utilized two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth to hold on for the victory over the Braves (14-15, 2-4).
 
ISU broke a scoreless tie in the third inning with RBIs from Cassie Thomerson and Isabella Henning to take a 2-0 lead.
 
Bradley tied the game in the fifth inning after a Sycamore throwing error allowed a run to score. Hailey Griffin entered at pitcher for Indiana State and struck out the first batter she faced to strand a runner on third.
 
Indiana State quickly retook the lead as Randi Jo Pryor drew a bases-loaded walk to give the Sycamores a 3-2 lead. Bradley was able to get out of the inning and leave the bases loaded, only allowing the one run.
 
With two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning, Kaylee Barrett doubled to centerfield, driving in a pair of runs to extend the Sycamore lead to 5-2.
 
The Braves did not go down without a fight, plating two in the top of the seventh. Cassi Newbanks would enter to replace Griffin and got the final two outs to get her first career save and secure the 5-4 win for the Sycamores.
 
Indiana State finished the game with eight hits, getting multi-hit performances from Cassie Thomerson, Isabella Henning and Kaylee Barrett. Olivia Patton and Abi Chipps each had a base hit as well.
 
Lexi Benko started the game and went 4 2/3 innings, striking out a pair of batters while allowing two runs on five hits. Hailey Griffin threw 1 2/3 innings in relief, picking up her second win of the season. She struck out three Bradley batters. Cassi Newbanks earned her first career save, recording the final two outs of the game to hold off the Braves. Griffin improves to 2-0 on the season with the victory.
 
The two teams combined to leave 20 runners on base, with ISU leaving 11 and Bradley leaving nine.
After reaching base three times today, Cassie Thomerson has raised her on-base percentage to a conference best .492 on the season.
 
The Sycamores eight hits pushed them over the 200 mark on the season, putting them at 204 which is second-most in the MVC.
 
Up Next
Indiana State will travel to Champaign on Wednesday for a midweek matchup at Illinois and then head to Illinois State for a three-game series in Normal beginning on Saturday.

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.