By Jayden Hodgson and Josiah Ulrich<\/p>\n
Stacia Seeton<\/a> hit a three-run homer in the first as the Bradley<\/a> Braves cruised to a 6-3 win over rival Illinois State Redbirds.<\/p>\n 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\u00a0starting pitcher\u00a0Megan Mahaffy<\/a>\u00a0controlled the game and went six and third innings, giving\u00a0up three runs.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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\u00a0were 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\u00a0Kealia Wysocki<\/a> hit a homer to left field.<\/p>\n Starting off fast is key the team\u2019s confidence to finish the games according to senior utility player Elizabeth Leonard<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cIt helps keep the momentum on our side and keeps us going throughout the game,\u201d Leonard said. \u201cI think it also lets the pitcher have a little breathing room and not feel like all the pressure is on them.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n