KAILUA-KONA, Hawai'i - Sophomore Colby Luttrell (Kincaid, Ill./South Fork) had five hits to help led the Bradley baseball team Sunday, as the Braves swept both games of the doubleheader with Hawai'i-Hilo at Simmon's Field in Kailuna-Kona, Hawai'i. Bradley won the first game, 19-10, and the nightcap, 7-6.
In the first-game, senior right-hander Michael Christl (Naperville, Ill./Waubonsie Valley), surrendered five earned runs in five innings of work, while striking out five and walking four. Christl left the game with in the top of the sixth with the Braves leading 12-8.
Junior Eitan Barbalat (Thornhill, Ontario/Westmount Collegiate Institute) recorded the save, scattering six hits and two earned runs in four innings out of the bullpen. Barbalat picked up his first save of the season.
Offensively, the Braves were led by sophomore Dan Brewer (Brookfield, Ill./Lyons Township) who went 2-for-7 with a double, four runs batted-in and two stolen bases. Senior Paul Rice (Beardstown, Ill./Beardstown) added a 1-for-3 performance with three RBI, three walks and a stolen base. Senior Ryan Curry (Downers Grove, Ill./South) went 2-for-5 with two runs batted-in, while fellow senior Pat Ryerson (Des Moines, Iowa/Johnston) went 2-for-3 with one run batted-in.
In the second-game of the day, freshman Brad Altbach (Northbrook, Ill. Glenbrook North) surrendered two earned runs in five innings of work, while striking out one and walking five in a no-decision.
Senior Brad Jones (Potomac, Md./Landon School) pitched three and two-thirds innings, striking out two and walking two to record his first decision in his spring debut on the mound. Fellow senior Paul Rice recorded the save, going two-thirds of an inning during his first trip to the mound of the season.
Offensively, the Braves were led by sophomore Colby Luttrell (Kincaid, Ill./South Fork) who went 3-for-5 for his second multi-hit game of the day. Paul Rice (Beardstown, Ill./Beardstown) and sophomore Dan Brewer (Brookfield, Ill./Lyons Township) both went 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Junior Ryan Eigsti (Eureka, Ill./Eureka) went 1-for-2 with a double and two runs batted-in to round up the offense.
Tied 6-6 going into the top of the ninth, Dan Brewer led off the inning with a go-ahead solo-homerun, giving the Braves a one run advantage. Seniors Brad Jones and Paul Rice shut down the Vulcans in the bottom of the inning, securing the Braves a 7-6 victory.
Bradley improved to 7-7 on the season with the pair of wins, while Hawai'i-Hilo falls to 5-20 on the spring.
The Braves will be back in action Tuesday as they continue their series against University of Hawaii-Hilo baseball team. First pitch against the Vulcans is slated for 11 p.m.
