EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- Bradley (6-9, 0-1 MVC) scored seven runs in the first inning, but Evansville (2-15, 1-0 MVC) scored three each in the second, third and seventh innings to rally for a 9-8 home victory in the Missouri Valley Conference baseball opener for both squads Friday evening at Braun Stadium.  The Purple Aces finally broke on top by executing a squeeze bunt with one out in the seventh.

Taking advantage of some wild pitching from the Purple Aces, eight of Bradley's first nine hitters reached base safely to start the game and the Braves pushed across seven runs on just two hits.  After leadoff man Dan Brewer reached on an error to start the game, Grant Escue and Nick Mitidiero walked to load the bases and right fielder Colby Luttrell followed with a 2-run single to start the game's scoring.  Rob Elliott dropped down a sacrifice bunt to put runners at second and third with two outs, before Jim Clayton and Kevin Sullivan both drew walks to go ahead 3-0 and chase Evansville starter Zach Taylor.

Reliever Sean McCarthy got off to a rocky start by walking Tommy Fitzgerald, then hitting Matt Fritz, both with the bases loaded, allowing Bradley to stretch the lead to 5-0.  Brewer then followed with a sacrifice fly for a 6-0 lead and Escue completed the opening barrage with an RBI single for the 7-0 lead.

McCarthy settled in after his rough beginning, however, and induced three double plays to work out of potential trouble until tiring in the seventh.  With Bradley clinging to a 7-6 lead, the Braves pushed across one run in the seventh.  Mitidiero led off the seventh with a single and Luttrell reached on a fielder's choice after McCarthy threw away his bunt attempt.  After Elliott grounded out with runners at second and third, Brumleve drew a walk to load the bases.  Pinch-hitter Andrew Eggers popped out, before Kori Jensen drew a walk to give the Braves an 8-6 lead and chase McCarthy.  Corey Davisson got Fritz to fly out to end the inning, allowing the Purple Aces to complete their comeback in the bottom of the seventh.

Jon Goebel was effective early in his relief of starter Rob Scahill, but the Bradley senior right-hander struggled to start the home half of the seventh.  Shortstop Andy Smith opened the frame with a single up the middle and left fielder Greg Wallace followed with a double to put runners at second and third with no outs.

Chris Wright (0-3) relieved Goebel and immediately got right fielder Nate Smith to hit a run-scoring ground out.  Ryan Fleming followed with a single through the right side of the Bradley infield to plate Nate Smith to forge an 8-8 tie.  Wright got Sean Loggins to hit a ground ball to short, but the Braves were unable to get an out at second, instead settling to force out Loggins at first for the second out of the inning.  Fleming then moved to third on a passed ball.  After designated hitter Brian Robinson walked, Shawn Kuester dropped beat out a two-out bunt to plate Fleming with the go-ahead run.

The Braves put the potential tying run in scoring position in the ninth after Rob Elliott was hit by a pitch to start the inning, then went to second on Mike Brumleve's sacrifice bunt.  Pinch-hitter Adam Kimble grounded out and Jensen was hit by a pitch to put runners at the corners with two outs, but Fritz struck out looking to end the game.

The teams will resume their three-game Valley series with a 2 p.m. game Saturday at Braun Stadium.