By Jayden Hodgson and Josiah Ulrich
Stacia Seeton hit a three-run homer in the first as the Bradley Braves cruised to a 6-3 win over rival Illinois State Redbirds.
The Braves won the second game of the doubleheader over the big rivals ISU. The game got off to a very fast start for the Braves, with the home run by Seeton. After that, Bradley starting pitcher Megan Mahaffy controlled the game and went six and third innings, giving up three runs.
Coming into the game Illinois State had an eight-game winning streak. The Braves had a five-game losing streak and were looking to snap out their recent funk.
The game got off to a very good start in the bottom of the first for the Braves. They had two runners on base when Seeton crushed the ball over the left field fence. This was exactly the start the Brwasy were looking for. They continued to put pressure on the Redbirds and knocked out their starting pitcher Morgan Day in the second inning. The Braves scored two more as Bradley designated hitter Kealia Wysocki hit a homer to left field.
Starting off fast is key the team’s confidence to finish the games according to senior utility player Elizabeth Leonard.
“It helps keep the momentum on our side and keeps us going throughout the game,” Leonard said. “I think it also lets the pitcher have a little breathing room and not feel like all the pressure is on them.”
Mahaffy was great all game as she kept the Redbird hitters off balance. She had three strikeouts and just one walk on the night. She was able to pitch at a fast pace and was able to stay ahead of hitters by attacking the strike zone.
Mahaffy going deep in the game was a huge boost for the team and for pitcher Julie Kestas.
“It’s always awesome for our staff when someone can go the whole game. We only have four pitchers, so there may be some games where we all have to go in at some point,” Kestas said. “When it’s only one who goes the long stretch, there is a sense of relief on not only our minds but our bodies as well.”
It was a cold game and Mahaffy was able to pitch through the cold and to keep the opponents off balance was a real testament to her control.
Illinois State rallied for two in the fourth and one in the seventh but they were never really a threat to the Braves.
The win is a big confidence booster as they look to take the momentum into the weekend series against Southern Illinois.
