Bradley capitalized on three Evansville errors to post a 6-0 win in the second game of a Missouri Valley Conference doubleheader against the Purple Aces Saturday afternoon at Laura Bradley Park, after Evansville took the opener 5-1. Sophomore Madeline Lynch-Crumrine scattered four hits over six and one-third innings in the nightcap in addition to going 2-for-3 with a run and RBI to help the Braves snap a five-game game losing skid. Lynch-Crumrine pitched 8.1 scoreless innings in the two games and earned the win in the circle in the second game. Sophomore catcher Bailiegh Basham hit a two run home-run in the second game for the Braves. Game One Box Score, Game Two Box Score.
-Bob
Bradley University freshman Ahmed Albitar won in his first career match at No. 1 singles and the Braves (8-10) breezed by Chicago State (0-16) with a 7-0 dual-match decision Friday afternoon at the David Markin Tennis Courts. Chicago State used only five players in Friday afternoon’s match, so the Braves began the day with a 1-0 lead and needed to win just one doubles match for a 2-0 advantage. Albitar teamed with sophomore Hamish Weerasinghe to quickly secure that second point as the Braves duo cruised to an 8-0 win at No. 2 doubles. After Kevin Keiner earned a 6-0, 6-3 win at No. 5 singles, Arthur Romanet secured the team victory minutes later with a 6-1, 6-0 win at No. 4 singles. The straight-set victories continued for the Braves with Weerasinghe claiming a 6-2, 6-0 win at No. 3, Albitar with a 6-4, 6-3 triumph at No. 1 and concluding with Ashton Kalhorn‘s 6-4, 6-3 win at No. 2. Justin Abrams was credited with a default victory at No. 6 singles.
-Bob
Creighton University freshman Bri Lingl was 4-for-7 with three runs batted in, including an eighth-inning home run in the nightcap, leading the visiting Bluejays (11-10, 2-0 MVC) to a doubleheader sweep at Bradley (10-14, 0-2 MVC) in Missouri Valley Conference softball action Saturday afternoon at Laura Bradley Park. With the score tied, 1-1, the Braves had a chance to earn a walk-off win in the second game after center fielder Julie Sherman legged out a 1-out single and took second on a Jackie Roth sacrifice bunt. Creighton pitched around catcher Bailiegh Basham, who drew five walks in the doubleheader, setting the stage for Madeline Lynch-Crumrine. The sophomore designated player delivered with a line drive single into left field, but Creighton’s Ellen Homan fielded the ball on one hop and her throw home beat Sherman to force the extra inning. Click here for Final Stats: Game #1 Box Score, Game #2 Box Score.
-Bob
The state-ranked No. 4 Central Lions (25-3) defeated the third-ranked Washington Panthers (26-6) 56-53 in overtime before an overflowing Renaissance Coliseum in the Class 3A Peoria Sectional championship game Friday night. Shamar Hill sank two free throws with just under a minute remaining to put Central up for good in the overtime period. Jerrell White made i of 2 free throws with 18 seconds left to put the Lions up by three. Washington had two chances to tie the game as Alec Peters 3-point shot was long and Chase Vogel had his hurried shot blocked by Central senior Trey Kellum to end the game. Peoria High will take on unranked Rockford East (20-10) for the Dekalb Supersectional at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Northern Illinois University.
-Bob
This past Friday was a beautiful sunny day and I was out and about photographing the Bradley University golf teams at Coyote Creek Golf Club in Bartonville, IL. The course is a Bruce Borland Signature Course and is one of finest in the midwest.
-Bob
