Box Score WICHITA, Kan. ? Freshman right-hander Rob Scahill finally kept the Wichita State offense in check, limiting the Shockers to two runs in six innings, but it wasn't enough to prevent WSU from completing a 3-game sweep against the Braves with a walk-off win Sunday afternoon at Eck Stadium.
Wichita State freshman Josh Workman hit a two-run, walk-off home run as the Shockers (31-14) earned the 5-3, come-from-behind win Sunday. By sweeping the Braves (19-18), Wichita State pulled into a tie atop the Missouri Valley Conference standings with Bradley as both teams now have 9-6 league records. Bradley also lost its 20th consecutive road game in the series against Wichita State and dropped its 24th consecutive game overall at Eck Stadium, a streak that includes four neutral-site losses to other Valley teams in MVC Tournament play.
Bradley twice built 1-run leads in Sunday's finale, first taking a 2-1 lead in the top of the sixth when Ryan Curry followed Paul Rice's leadoff single with a run-scoring double. Despite reaching third with one out, Curry was left stranded.
After Wichita State pulled even in the home half of the sixth, the Braves again pulled ahead, 3-2, in the top of the seventh. This time Rice drove home the run with a two-out, infield single to plate right fielder Pat Ryerson. Rice, who appeared to be breaking out of a season-long slump with his second straight 3-hit game, was removed for a pinch-runner, a move that took on more significance two innings later.
The Shockers once again pulled even, 3-3, plating an unearned run off reliever Peter Elmer in the eighth. Matt Brown led off the bottom of the eighth with a single, then went to second on an errant pickoff attempt by Elmer. Brown scored the tying run on a two-out single up the middle.
In the top of the ninth, Brad Jones singled with two outs, but Adam Kimble, who was hitting in Rice's spot with a .087 season batting average, struck out to end the inning. Workman then ended the game with his third home run in the bottom of the ninth off Elmer (1-3).
Unable to maintain sole possession of first place in the Valley standings due to the weekend sweep at Wichita State, Bradley will try to get back on the winning track with nine straight home games. The Braves will host a non-conference doubleheader Tuesday at 3 p.m. versus Valparaiso, then will welcome MacMurray Wednesday at 5 p.m. in a makeup game from a rainout earlier this season. Missouri State will visit for a 3-game Valley series next weekend at O'Brien Field.