TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- Bradley senior left fielder Ryan Kenny (Peoria, Ill./Notre Dame H.S.) delivered the game-winning hit in the seventh inning and senior catcher Brad Canada (Fishers, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern H.S.) added three insurance runs with two late-inning hits, leading the Braves (14-4, 1-0) to a 6-2 victory Friday night at Indiana State (9-11, 0-1) in the Missouri Valley Conference opener for both teams.
By overcoming an early 2-1 deficit, Bradley earned its third straight victory and started conference play with a win for the first time since 1996. The modest rally was Bradley's seventh come-from-behind win of the season.
Junior right-hander Brandon Magee (Sheboygan, Wis./North H.S.) improved to 4-1 by earning his fourth consecutive victory since a 2-1 loss in the season-opener Feb. 19. Magee allowed two runs, one earned, on four hits in 7.0 innings. He walked three and struck out four. Sophomore closer Michael Christl (Naperville, Ill./Waubonsie Valley H.S.) earned his third save of the season by tossing two scoreless innings to close the game. In his first year in the closer role, Christl already is tied for third on Bradley's single-season saves list, just one behind co-record holders Ron Hensel (2002) and Curt Hasler (1987).
Bradley took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Canada came home from third on Justin Carr's bases-loaded, ground ball double play. Although Indiana State managed to put runners on base via a hit, a walk and an error in each of the first three innings, Magee faced the minimum through the first three frames, thanks to a pickoff and a pair of double plays.
The Sycamores pulled even in the fourth when leadoff man Chris Schmidt was hit by Magee pitch, advanced to second on a passed ball and eventually scored on a wild pitch. Indiana State moved ahead in the fifth, 2-1, when Tyler Malone followed a 2-out walk to Cory Kral with a run-scoring double down the rightfield line.
The Braves immediately pulled even in the sixth. Paul Rice led off the sixth with a walk then swiped second, his 11th steal in 12 tries this season. After Canada struck out and Jon Smith popped out, designated hitter Joe Napoli (Peoria, Ill./Notre Dame H.S.) plated Rice with a 2-out single up the middle.
Brad Collins (0-1) relieved Indiana State starter Chris Jones to start the seventh, but the replacement could not keep the Braves from pulling off a 2-out rally. Adam Uscicki drew a 1-out walk, then advanced to second on a Johnny Sage ground ball. Kenny followed with a single deep into the hole at shortstop and Uscicki was able to hustle and beat the throw home to score what proved to be the game-winning run. After Kenny advanced to second on the throw, Canada followed with a single to left to put the Braves up 4-2. Canada added another 2-out single in the ninth to plate two more insurance runs.
Due to a forecast for rain all day Sunday, the original schedule of three games in three days has been changed and the Valley rivals will conclude their 3-game weekend series by playing a 1 p.m. (EST) doubleheader Saturday.
