DES MOINES, Iowa – Closing the deal was the name of the game in Thursday’s Missouri Valley Conference Tournament game between No. 5 Indiana State and No. 8 Bradley.
 
The underdog Braves (20-30) scored all three of their runs facing two outs in the second inning, taking advantage of a two-out walk to get the big inning started. It was a frame the Sycamores were unable to close without runs crossing the plate.
 
But three innings later, Indiana State (26-27) took advantage of the same situation. With two outs and runners at the corners, Bella Peterson reached on a fielding error to extend the inning as an Indiana State run crossed the plate. Only this time, for Bradley, the inability to close the deal was lethal.
 
The next two Sycamore batters – Shaye Barton and Brooke Mann – each singled to drive in runs and Indiana State took its first lead of the game by a 4-3 margin. No other Bradley runner would reach scoring position and the Sycamores advanced to the quarterfinal round against No. 4 Valparaiso on Friday.
 
Mallory Marsicek, who was 2-for-3 at the plate and scored in that pivotal fifth inning – drove in Indiana State’s only other run facing two outs in the third inning with Leslie Sims on second base. Her single through the left side into shallow left field allowed Sims – who already had two stolen bases on the day – to use her elite speed to race the 120 feet home.
 
Della Gher (4-5) was credited with the win after three scoreless innings in the circle, allowing only three hits and striking out two. Emma Jackson (8-8), who didn’t make the trip for Bradley’s narrow series victory over the Sycamores in Terre Haute during the regular season, was charged with the loss after allowing four runs – one earned – on six hits in 4 2/3 innings. She walked two and struck out five.

UP NEXT
No. 5 Indiana State advances to face No. 4 Valparaiso on Friday, May 11 at Noon ET/11 a.m. CT on ESPN