Aces and Braves split Saturday softball doubleheader

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Teams wrap up series tomorrow

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – A Saturday doubleheader saw the University of Evansville and Bradley split a pair of softball games at Cooper Stadium.

Evansville (12-13, 4-1 MVC) started the day with a 7-0 victory before the Braves (16-15, 2-3 MVC) completed the twin bill with a 7-2 triumph.

“We did a great job to get the split today; it was a tale of 2 games,” UE head coach Mat Mundell said.  “I like how we competed in the first game, but we got outside of what we like to do in 2nd. We are excited to come out tomorrow and play for Beth Csukas in front of a good crowd and get the series win.”

Morgan Florey had a stellar game in the circle to start the day as she tossed her sixth-consecutive complete game victory.  She fanned eight batters on the way to her 9th win of the year.  Hayli Scott was a perfect 3-3 with a walk in the contest while Hay and Norris registered two hits apiece.

Bradley looked to jump out to an early lead in the first inning as they put runners on first and second with one out.  Florey was able to get out of the jam and would go on to retire the next 16 batters before the Braves got their first hit in the top of the 6th.

Evansville got on the board in the bottom of the third inning as Tess Hupe was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and quickly stole second.  Brittany Hay delivered another big hit as her single to right brought Hupe home to give the Aces a 1-0 lead.  UE looked to add more to its lead, but left the bases loaded.

Two more Aces runs scored in the fourth.  With runners on second and third with no outs, it was Hay coming through once again in the clutch as her suicide squeeze brought home Ashlee Kawall.  The base running success continued as a double steal resulted in Courtney Land posting the third run of the day.

The runs kept coming for the Aces as Susan Norris hit a long 2-out double to center field to make it a 4-0.  Norris would later score on a BU error as the Aces plated four runs in the frame to grab a 7-0 advantage.  That would be the final as Florey finished off the win in the circle.

After being held scoreless in the first game, the Braves wasted little time in getting on the board in game two.  Maria Schroeder hit a 2-run home run to left field in the first to take a 2-0 lead.  The Braves continued to threaten, loading the bases in the second and third frames, but pitcher Emily Lockhart kept them out of the scoring column.

Michal Luckett cut the gap in half in the third.  After Hay reached on a walk, Luckett doubled to left to put the Aces on the board.  Luckett tied the game one batter later on a Florey double to right.  Schroeder put the Braves back on top with a sacrifice fly in the top of the fourth.

Bradley extended its lead in the sixth when Caitlyn McCarron hit a 3-run home run to center field to make it a 6-2 contest.  Kealia Wysocki added a solo shot of her own in the inning.  The Aces did not give up their fight as Tess Hupe hit a 1-out double before Brittany Hay homered to left to get UE within three at 7-4.  That would be the final as the squads split the doubleheader.

On Sunday, the rubber match will be played at 12 p.m.  At 11:45 a.m., former UE player Beth Csukas will be honored with the Missouri Valley Conference Most Courageous Award.  Csukas, a former Evansville Firefighter, will be presented with the award prior to the game.  All first responders, current and former, will receive free admission to support Beth.