May 15, 2009
COLUMBIA, Mo. - In the opening game of the NCAA tournament's Columbia, Mo. Regional, the Bradley Braves took down the 19th ranked DePaul Blue Demons, 1-0. In a true pitcher's duel, Bradley pitcher Ashley Birdsong was dominant, giving up just three hits, racking up eight strikeouts and completing the game to push her record to 20-10 on the season. DePaul's Becca Heteniak had a solid outing as well, giving up just four hits and tallying five strikeouts, but failed to get the run support she needed.
Bradley got on the board in the second inning on the strength of an Anne Creighton single to centerfield that brought home Julie Sherman from second base. Sherman had reached on an infield single and didn't waste any time in stealing second. Sherman finished 2-for-3 at the plate while scoring the only run of the game.
DePaul threatened to equalize on multiple occasions, but stranded two runners in the fourth inning and one runner in both the fifth and seventh innings, all of which were in scoring position. Birdsong was clutch each time, striking out the final batters in each of those innings to get out of the jams. The victory propels Bradley's current win streak to 10, all Birdsong wins.
Bradley will face the winner of tonight's Missouri-Illinois game at Noon tomorrow (Saturday) at University Field, while Bradley will face the Missouri-Illinois loser immediately following at 2:30 pm.