WATERLOO, Iowa -- For the second day in a row, Northern Iowa (25-25, 8-12) beat a Bradley ace, this time rallying for three runs in the seventh inning for a 3-2 win Saturday afternoon at Riverfront Stadium.
After scoring nine runs off Bradley ace Brandon Magee in Friday's 11-1 win, on Saturday the Panthers finally broke through against Collin Walker (6-3) for three runs in the seventh inning after the Braves (26-17, 9-11) scored their two runs in the top half of the frame.
Walker, who entered the game with a 1.45 earned run average in his first five Valley appearances, was working on a 2-hit shutout when UNI hitting star Nate Trumm led off the seventh with a solo home run. Clayton Daniels followed with a single, then went to second on a sacrifice bunt. Nick Cameron doubled to center field, but Daniels was only able to advance to third on the play. After an intentional walk loaded the bases, pinch-hitter Curt Bradley tied the score, 2-2, with a sacrifice fly. The go-ahead run scored one hitter later when Pat Moran doubled to right field.
Paul Rice started Bradley's rally in the top of the seventh by leading off with a single for Bradley's third hit against Panther starter Kory Kelchen. After a Brad Canada sacrifice bunt and intentional walk to Carr, Jon Smith and Ryan Curry followed with run-scoring singles up the middle.
Bryan Westphal (2-1) relieved Kelchen and fanned Adam Uscicki and Ryan Eigsti to end the threat and leave the door open for UNI's comeback.
Bradley will try to salvage one win in the weekend 3-game set Sunday in the 1 p.m. finale at Riverfront Stadium. Senior right-hander Brian Spielmann is expected to get the start for the Braves.
