UE Softball splits MVC doubleheader against Bradley
UE opens with a 5-4 win in extra innings
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Opening day of Missouri Valley Conference action saw the University of Evansville softball team split a doubleheader against Bradley. UE opened the day with a 5-4 victory in eight innings before the Braves countered with an 8-0 win the second match-up.
Game 1 – UE 5, Bradley 4 (8 innings)
Trailing by a 4-3 score entering the bottom of the seventh, the Purple Aces tied the score before clinching a 5-4 win over Bradley in the 8th inning. Alexa Davis drew a bases loaded walk to give UE the win.
Mikayla Jolly had a nice start, striking out a pair of batters in the top of the first. In the second, Abbott Badgley broke the scoreless tie with a fly ball that left the park for a solo home run.
Evansville got the offense going in the bottom of the third when Taylor Howe and Alexa Davis recorded hits to open the inning. Abby Husak made her collegiate debut, pinch running for Howe. After advancing to third on a fielder’s choice by Zoe Frossard, Husak scored the first run of the game on a bunt attempt by Marah Wood. Jess Willsey added a sacrifice fly to score Frossard and give Evansville a 2-1 lead.
Bradley used the long ball to retake the lead in the top of the fourth. With two outs, Kierston McCoy belted a 2-run home run to right center field to put Bradley on top – 3-2. UE immediately responded in the bottom of the inning when Lacy Smith hit an RBI double to right center to bring in Jenna Nink, who walked earlier in the frame.
Things remained knotted at 3-3 until the Braves retook the lead in the sixth as they drew three consecutive walks, including one with the bases loaded, to go up 4-3. Down to the final three outs, Alexa Davis opened the seventh with a single before stealing second and going to third on a passed ball. With one out, Marah Wood brought her in with a sacrifice fly to tie the game.
In the 8th, Hannah Hood and Nink reached on walks while advancing to second and third with one out. Taylor Howe was hit by a pitch to load the bases up with two outs and bring Davis to the plate. On a 3-2 count, Davis earned the game-winning walk to give UE the conference-opening triumph. Davis was Evansville’s top performer, going 2-4 with a walk, RBI and run. Sydney Weatherford picked up her first win of the season, tossing a scoreless 1 2/3 innings.
Game 2 – Bradley 8, UE 0
A 3-run third inning set Bradley on pace as they completed the day with an 8-0 victory in six innings of game two.
Following a scoreless two innings, the Braves jumped out in front with a pair of home runs. With two outs, Grace French launched a 2-run shot to center field before Abbott Badgley followed with a solo shot to extend the lead to 3-0 in the third. The ensuing inning saw the Braves add their fourth run while holding UE off the board.
In the bottom half of the fifth, Evansville put its first runner in scoring position as Jenna Nink reached on a 1-out triple but the Braves got out of the jam to retain their 4-0 lead. In the 6th, the Braves put the game out of reach, scoring four more runs to complete the shoutout win. Evansville finished the game with four hits while the Braves had nine while adding six walks.
Camryn Schaller took the win for Bradley, allowing four hits in six innings. Erin Kleffman took the loss, giving up three runs in 2 2/3 innings of work. None of the eight Bradley runs in the game were earned.
Sunday’s game is still slated to begin at 12 p.m.
