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April 2, 2006 JESSICA MCGIVNEY KEY FOR SYCAMORES IN SERIES VICTORY OVER BRADLEY TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State and Bradley had to dodge raindrops in the early going of today’s (April 2) Missouri Valley Conference contest, but it was worth the wait as the Sycamores defeated the Braves by a 3-1 score to take the series victory. ISU has won back-to-back MVC series for the first time in several seasons, after they defeated Wichita State last weekend and Bradley today. ISU improved to 12-16, 4-7 MVC while Bradley dropped to 13-14, 3-5 MVC. ISU got on the board in the bottom of the first inning with a sacrifice fly off the bat of junior Jessica McGivney. Her deep fly ball plated freshman Meredith Simpson who singled to leftfield with one out in the frame, then stole second base. It was her fifth theft of the year. The Sycamores plated two insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, on McGivney’s second sacrifice fly of the day and off an RBI double by sophomore Kelsey Anderson which scored Spychaj. With the Sycamores leading 3-0, Wood allowed just one run to the Braves in the top of the seventh to hold on for the victory. Wood improved to 9-8 on the season by going seven innings in the win. She allowed six hits, one run and struck out six Braves. Bradley starter Ashley Birdsong dropped to 7-5 on the campaign, allowing eight hits and three runs in six innings of work. Early morning rains in the area delayed the start of the contest by 35 minutes, and then two brief rain showers in the bottom of the first inning further halted the game by 50 minutes. Indiana State’s 12 victories eclipse last season’s win total of 11. The Sycamores have taken 2-of-3 from Bradley in each of the past two seasons. Two of ISU’s three MVC series wins over the past two seasons have come against the Braves. The Sycamores return to action on Wednesday when they host Butler for a non-conference doubleheader. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m. (EST).
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