PEORIA, Ill. – Indiana State softball clinched the series with a 3-2 win over Bradley in Game 1, followed by a dominant 4-0 shutout in Game 2, completing the Friday sweep.
Game One: Indiana State 3, Bradley 2
Indiana State softball opened the weekend series with a thrilling 3-2 win over Bradley Friday afternoon, using a clutch two-out rally in the seventh inning to take Game 1.
Hailey Griffin (8-7) earned the win in the circle after tossing 6 strong innings. The senior allowed nine hits and two earned runs while striking out two and issuing no walks.
She also reached a season milestone in the second inning, recording her 100th strikeout of the year when she got Comstock swinging for the first out.
Cassi Newbanks closed the door with a clean seventh inning to earn her second save of the season. The senior faced four batters and needed just 19 pitches to seal the win.
The game remained scoreless through the first three innings. Bradley recorded the first hit in the bottom of the third, but the Sycamore defense made quick work of the threat, retiring the next two batters.
Indiana State broke through in the top of the fourth. With two outs and runners on, Sophie Esposito delivered a clutch RBI double down the line, scoring Brailey Mills and pushing Hannah Welch to third. The hit gave the Sycamores a 1-0 lead.
Bradley answered in the bottom half of the fifth, tying the game at 1-1 on an RBI single from Breeding that plated Welsh.
The Braves then took a 2-1 lead in the sixth when Kennedy doubled to right center, bringing home Schlosser.
The Sycamores showed grit in the top of the seventh. Down to their final out, Lauren Marsicek lined a single to center field, scoring Morggan Goodrich to tie the game.
An error in the outfield allowed Madison Poulson to score as well, putting Indiana State in front 3-2.
Newbanks took over in the circle in the bottom of the seventh. Bradley's DeRolf reached third base after a fielding error and two groundouts, but the Sycamores' defense stood strong. Newbanks got the final out to end the rally and lock in the victory.
Game Two: Indiana State 4, Bradley 0
The Sycamores capped off a dominant Friday showing in Peoria with a 4-0 shutout victory over Bradley, completing the doubleheader sweep.
Indiana State got things rolling early in Game Two, striking first in the opening frame. Morgan Goodrich reached and came around to score on a groundout by Hannah Welch, giving the Sycamores a 1-0 lead. The offense put additional runners in scoring position with just one out but couldn't capitalize further, stranding two.
Lauren Sackett set the tone in the circle with a dominant start, retiring the Braves in order in the bottom half of the inning, including back-to-back strikeouts to open up the frame.
In the top of the second, Peyton Simmons sparked the offense again with a leadoff single to right. After a fielder's choice and base advancement, Lauren Marsicek continued her strong day at the plate, driving a single through the left side to plate a run.
Indiana State wasn't done yet—Isabelle Saylor scored on a throwing error by the catcher to push the lead to 3-0.
Defensively, the Sycamores stayed sharp, with Saylor making a heads-up play in the bottom of the second to throw out a runner at first and strand two Braves on base.
Indiana State added another insurance run in the fourth. Simmons led off with her second hit of the game, and Saylor later drew a walk. Goodrich followed with a single to advance both runners.
A hit-by-pitch to Livi Colip loaded the bases, and Welch showed patience at the plate, drawing a walk to bring in Simmons and make it a 4-0 game.
The Sycamores saw production up and down the lineup in game two against Bradley, led by Morgan Goodrich who went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and a walk. Peyton Simmons added two hits, including a double, and reached base three times.
Lauren Marsicek delivered an RBI single, while Hannah Welch drove in two runs and drew a walk. Livi Colip, Sophie Esposito, and Luci Kapelka each added hits as well, helping Indiana State rack up eight total.
Sackett threw a complete game on Friday, surrendering just two hits and two walks while striking out four and keeping the Braves scoreless in the victory.
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