DEKALB, Ill. - The bottom three hitters in Bradley's order combined to go 7-for-14 with two home runs and six runs batted in, leading the Braves (24-9) to a 12-11 non-conference win at Northern Illinois (14-22) Wednesday evening at Ralph McKinzie Field.

Wednesday's back-and-forth affair featured five lead changes, the last when No. 9 hitter Mike Riesner tripled in the tying run and scored the go-ahead tally on a Chris Godinez single for an 9-8 lead in the seventh inning. The Braves tacked on two more in the eighth inning on No. 7 hitter Evan Gruener's 2-run home run and got the deciding run in the ninth on DH Elliot Ashbeck's 2-out, RBI double.

Ashbeck's double gave the Braves a 12-8 lead, but Bradley had to turn to its closer, Matt Dennis, to escape a bases-loaded, no outs jam after the Huskies started the final frame with a double, hit batsman and walk. A 2-run single and sacrifice fly made it 12-11 and the Huskies had the tying run at third base and winning run at second following a one-out walk, fly out and wild pitch. Gruener ended the game by running down a foul fly ball down the left field line to secure Bradley's third straight win.

Gruener's 8th-inning homer highlighted a 3-for-5 performance at the plate and he matched his career-best with four runs batted in. Fellow sophomore outfielder Carson Weber also went 3-for-5 with a home run in the No. 8 spot in the order, while Riesner finished 1-for-4 with a walk and his first career triple and RBI. Ashbeck was 2-for-4 with a sacrifice fly, a walk and three runs batted in.

Freshman Allan Beer, who ended Tuesday's win against #14 Iowa with a "web gem" at third base, made his collegiate pitching debut for the Braves and allowed only one hit in 2.0 scoreless innings to get the game started. Stephen Toma (1-2), the fourth of six Bradley pitchers, earned the win by allowing just one run on two hits in his 3.0 innings of work.

Northern Illinois used seven pitchers and each of the first six allowed at least one run. Colby Carmichael (0-2) suffered the loss by allowing the Riesner triple and Godinez go-ahead hit.

The Braves will return to Missouri Valley Conference action by hosting perennial league power Wichita State in a key 3-game series this weekend at Dozer Park. Game times are 6 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. Saturday and noon Sunday. Bradley (24-9, 3-3 MVC) enters the weekend in fourth place in the league standings, just one-half game behind third-place Wichita State (13-23, 5-4 MVC) and 2.5 games behind first place #15 Missouri State.

WEEKEND PROMOTIONS
Friday - Little League Night
Local youth baseball teams are encouraged to attend the game dressed in team uniforms and teams will be recognized between innings.

Saturday - Double Play Day/Bark in the Park Day, presented by TAPS
Bradley students attending the first game of Saturday's noon souftball doubleheader against Wichita State at Bradley Park will receive free sunglasses and a meal voucher to be redeemed during the baseball game at Dozer Park. Shuttle service from campus, to Bradley Park and to Dozer Park will be available. Fans also are invited to bring their dogs to Saturday's baseball game at Dozer Park.

Sunday - Country Music Day