Clutch hitting lifts Leathernecks over Braves, 4-2

MACOMB, Ill. - Lauren Furgala and Michele Prieto's clutch hitting guided the Fighting Leatherneck softball team over Bradley, 4-2, on Monday, April 5 at Mary Ellen McKee Stadium.

The Leathernecks' (20-12) win snapped a nine-game losing streak against the Braves (11-19) and marked their fist win over their in-state rival since April 23, 2003.

With one out in the bottom of the fifth, Sandy Moore was walked before Julie DePolo stepped up the plate to record Western's first hit of the contest as she hit a double down the left-field line. Prieto then slapped the ball to left field to put the Leathernecks ahead, 2-1. After Braves pitcher Amanda Clack walked Jamie Goss on the following at bat to load the bases, Furgala hit a two-RBI double to left center to give Western a 4-1 lead.

“I was proud of Lauren Furgala this afternoon,” said Western Illinois head coach Holly Van Vlymen. “They walked Jamie Goss to get to her and she had a huge at bat and got the base hit we needed to score some runs.”

After a Kate Singler ground out, Brittany Fairbairn tripled down the right-field line to start the Bradley comeback in the top of the seventh. Janay Mitchell grounded out on the following play, but Fairbairn scored to bring the Braves within two (4-2). Megan O'Malley struck out looking to end the contest and give Western its 20th win of the season.

The Braves got on the scoreboard early, scoring a run in the top of the first on Julie Sherman RBI to take a 1-0 lead. Western tied the game in the bottom of the second as Furgala scored on a Clack wild pitch.

Bradley collected one more hit (5-4) than the Leathernecks, but the Braves committed three errors in the contest. Western left four more runners on base (6-2) than Bradley.

Furgala led the team at the plate, going 1-for-3 with two RBI and a run. DePolo moved her hit streak to 11 games while Prieto and Anna Copeland also both added a hit.

Kamren Ferguson (11-7) picked up the win from the circle, tossing seven strikeouts and walking none.

The Leathernecks are back in action on April 9-10 as they travel to Shreveport, La., to face conference foe Centenary.

"We are excited to get back into conference play,” said Van Vlymen. “We have gotten better and better in our last couple of games so we will be firing on all cylinders on offense and defense down in Shreveport.”

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Players Mentioned

#8 Lauren Furgala: IF; 5' 3"; Senior; S/R

#25 Julie DePolo: IF; 5' 4"; Senior; R/R

#33 Jamie Goss: IF; 5' 4"; Sophomore; R/R

#14 Anna Copeland: IF; 5' 2"; Junior; R/R

#27 Sandy Moore: OF; 5' 1"; Freshman; S/R

Players Mentioned

#8 Lauren Furgala
: 5' 3"; Senior; S/R
: IF

#25 Julie DePolo
: 5' 4"; Senior; R/R
: IF

#33 Jamie Goss
: 5' 4"; Sophomore; R/R
: IF

#14 Anna Copeland
: 5' 2"; Junior; R/R
: IF

#27 Sandy Moore
: 5' 1"; Freshman; S/R
: OF