Illinois Takes 7-1 Win Over Bradley In Softball

Senior Caitlyn McCarron hit a solo home run in the fourth and fellow senior Kelly Kapp extended her hit streak to 15 games, but Illinois held Bradley to just three hits as the Illini topped the Braves 7-1 Wednesday night at Eichelberger Field.

Illinois (19-8 overall) scored four runs in the first inning, taking advantage of three Bradley errors in the inning to jump out to a 4-0 lead.  Annie Flemming gave the Illini a 6-0 lead with a two-run homer in the bottom of the second and a sacrifice fly in the third pushed the Illinois advantage to 7-0.

Kapp led off the game with a bunt single and stolen base as she extended her hit streak to a season-best 15 games and swiped her 34th base of the year, but had the only Bradley hit in the first three frames.  McCarron got the Braves on the scoreboard with a solo homer to lead off the top of the fourth.  The homer was McCarron’s fourth of the season to tie for the team lead.

Bradley (15-14 overall) got out of a jam in the bottom of the fourth.  Illinois had runners at first and third with one out when the Braves got the second out of the inning at the plate on a double steal attempt.  Bradley catcher Kealia Wysocki ended the inning when she threw out another runner trying to steal third.

Sophomore Gabby Stoner reached on an error to start the Bradley half of the seventh, but the Braves were unable to get anything going as Illinois closed out the 7-1 victory.

Sophomore Julie Kestas pitched two scoreless innings out of the bullpen, holding Illinois to one hit.

Teutopolis graduate Allison Apke had two at-bats for Bradley.

Bradley will open a three-game series at Evansville Saturday with a noon doubleheader.