Bradley University Athletics

Bears Open Series with an Extra-Innings Walk-Off

Missouri State third baseman Jake Burger hit a 2-run home run in the 11th inning as Missouri State takes MVC opener, 5-3

Bill Hirsh

Bobby Parker, Associate AD for Communications Baseball 4/1/2017 12:11:00 AM

Box Score SPRINGFIELD, MO - Missouri State All-American Jake Burger hit a 2-run, walk-off home run, lifting the host Bears (16-9, 1-0 MVC) to a 5-3 win against Bradley (10-13, 0-1 MVC) Friday night at Hammons Field.

In a game that did not start until 8:45 due to the preceding professional baseball exhibition between the Springfield and St. Louis Cardinals, the Missouri Valley Conference opener for both teams extended just past midnight before Burger launched his 10th home run of the year for the game-winner.

Bradley outhit the Bears, 11-8, and started the game with four consecutive singles to key two first-inning runs. Derek Bangert drove in the first run with a bases-loaded single and Ian Kristan followed with a run-scoring ground out.

Luke Mangieri raised his team-leading batting average by going 3-for-5 to pace the Bradley attack. Luke Shadid, Spencer Gaa and Bangert all finished 2-fo-5.

The teams will continue their weekend series with a 3 p.m. start Saturday and a 1 o'clock start Sunday.

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