Bradley Splits Softball DH, EIU Wins

PEORIA, Ill. – Sophomore Emma Jackson gave up just two earned runs in a combined 11 innings out of the bullpen to help Bradley split a doubleheader against defending Missouri Valley Conference co-champion Northern Iowa Sunday at Petersen Hotels Field at the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in the conference opener for both teams.

Bradley (11-14 overall, 1-1 MVC) rallied for six runs in the seventh inning of the opener, but fell 9-6 to the Panthers, before posting a 7-4 victory in the nightcap to salvage a split with UNI (16-10, 1-1 MVC).

In the opening game, Northern Iowa struck for two runs in the first and a Sammey Bunch two-run triple highlighted a three-run second inning for the Panthers as Bradley found itself facing an early 5-0 deficit.  Jackson got out of a jam in the second and pitched scoreless innings in the third, fourth and fifth.

The Braves struggled early against UNI starter Brooke Craig, however, collecting just four hits through the first five frames.  Northern Iowa added an insurance run in the sixth on a fielder’s choice which would have ended the inning and a BU error with the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the seventh allowed three runs to cross as the Panthers extended the lead to 9-0.

Bradley rallied in the bottom of the seventh.  Freshman Taise Thompson got things started with a one-out single and sophomore Allison Apke (Teutopolis graduate) ripped a two-run homer to center for her team-best sixth dinger of the year.  Freshman Stacia Seeton followed with a double to right center and came around to score on a Panther error.  With two runners on after a four-pitch walk by Katie Habryle, Megan Mahaffy drove in two more runs with a double to right center as Bradley pulled within 9-5.  Senior Elizabeth Leonard plated another run when she reached on a fielder’s choice, but Craig got a lineout to end the Bradley rally and close out the 9-6 victory for UNI.

Jackson scattered four hits and four runs (one earned) in 5.2 innings of work out of the bullpen.  She struck out five and walked three in the relief effort.

Bradley found itself in another early hole in the nightcap after Northern Iowa scored a run in the first on a fielder’s choice and added two more in the second on a bases loaded walk and a hit batter with the bases loaded.

Jackson took over for Bradley with the bases loaded in the second to get out of the inning without any further damage as UNI left the bases loaded.  Northern Iowa added another run in the top of the third on a Claire Dudek RBI single to left as the Panthers led 4-0 heading to the third.

Habryle notched Bradley’s first hit of the day’s second game with a single to leadoff the third and would eventually score from third on a groundout to cut the UNI lead to 4-1.

A five-run fourth gave Bradley its first lead of the day at 6-4.  Senior Maria Schroeder led off the frame with an infield single and Apke followed with a walk.  After a Seeton single loaded the bases, Thompson delivered a two-run double down the left field line.  Habryle drove in another run with a sacrifice fly to center and sophomore Brooklyn Bane added a RBI single up the middle.  Leonard capped the five-run inning with a RBI infield single.

Jackson worked around a leadoff single and a hit batter for a scoreless fifth and sat the Panthers down in order in both the sixth and seventh innings.

The Braves added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth.  Habryle reached on an error and Bradley would load the bases with two outs on a Bane walk and a fielder’s choice.  Schroeder drew a bases loaded walk to push the BU lead to 7-4.  Bradley threatened to add to the lead, but left the bases loaded.   

Jackson picked up the win in the second game, giving up just three hits and one earned run in 5.1 innings of relief work.  Mahaffy was 2-for-3 in both games, going 4-for-6 with two runs and a pair of RBI on the day.  Schroeder moved into a tie for ninth in career hits at Bradley with her 174th to match the career total of Gwen Seputis (1984-87) in addition to moving into a tie for second in career walks at Bradley with her 69th career free pass to tie Julie Jehle’s (1993-96) career mark.

Bradley continues a season-long, six-game home stand Wednesday with a 6 p.m. home contest against Western Illinois at Petersen Hotels Field at the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex.  

EIU Sweeps Final Day of Tourney

MT. PLEASANT, S.C. –  Eastern Illinois softball swept their final day of tournament play this season. They defeated Georgetown 10-1 and Texas 5-1 to win their third straight game. Haley Mitchell, Mia Davis, and Kayla Bear led the Panthers at the plate batting at least .500 through both games Friday afternoon.

The Panthers picked up a 10-2 win over Georgetown in their first game of the day. EIU combined for 14 hits led by Mitchell who was 2-for-2 at the plate. Mady Poulter was 3-for-4 and batted in a team-best three RBI.

Eight of EIU’s 14 hits came in the first two innings as they jumped out to a 6-1 lead over Georgetown. The Hoyas scored one more run in the fourth inning, but EIU added two runs in the fifth and sixth to win 10-2.

Of the Panthers 14 hits, five were doubles hit by four players. Morgan LaMore hit two for EIU, while Mitchell, Kendyl McKeough, and Kiley Pelker all recorded one.

Valerie Thompson pitched all six innings for EIU. She recorded two strikeouts and improved to 2-0 on the mound this season.

The Panthers won their final game of the Charleston Invite 5-1 over Texas. They recorded 11 team hits with Davis leading EIU with three. Taylor Monahan, McKeough, and Mitchell each had two hits.

EIU jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning with McKeough tallying two RBI following her double to left center. The Panthers added another run in the third inning and two more in the fourth inning highlighted by Mitchell’s homer to left center. Texas recorded one run in the fifth inning, but both teams were held scoreless to finish the game leading to the Panthers win.

Jessica Wireman pitched a complete game recording nine strikeouts over the seven innings played. She improves to 8-4 on the mound for the Panthers this season.

EIU opens conference play with a doubleheader at Belmont on Saturday Mar. 24. Game one is set to begin at 12 pm followed by game two at 1 pm. The Panthers home opener is Tuesday Mar. 27 vs. Butler at 4 pm.