2016 RussMatt Central Florida Invitational
Bradley 8, Bucknell 2

WINTER HAVEN, FL - Bradley SS Tyler Leffler was 5-for-5 with two doubles and two runs batted in, leading the Braves (6-6) to an 8-2 win against Bucknell (5-7) during the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational Sunday at Chain of Lakes Park.

Bradley banged out a season-high 16 hits en route to its second straight win against the Bison. Combined with Saturday's 12-4 win against Bucknell, the Braves will try for a 3-game series sweep Monday (11:30 a.m. CT) at Chain of Lakes Park.

Bucknell pitcher Mike Castellani (L, 2-1) entered Sunday's game with a 2-0 record and 1.96 ERA in his first three starts this year, but the Braves reached him for four runs in the third inning. Catcher Zach Fairchild led off the third with a single and CF Andy Shadid followed with a walk. Braves RF Brady Wilkin dropped down a sacrifice bunt back to Castellani, but the Bison pitcher's throw to first sailed down the right field line, allowing both runners to score. Bradley 3B Spencer Gaa followed with a single to plate Wilkin with what proved to be the deciding run. Gaa eventually gave the Braves a 4-0 lead when he scored on a single by 2B Allan Beer.

Bradley starter Cameron Roegner (W, 1-2) earned his first win of the season by allowing two runs on five hits in 5+ innings. Roegner actually worked 5.0 scoreless innings, before conseuctive singles to open the sixth ended his day. Both runners came around to score on two more singles, but three Bradley relievers - Nathan Stong, Jacob Hurst and Eric Scheuermann - kept the Bison off the board the rest of the way.

In addition to Leffler's 5-hit effort, four other Braves collected two hits. Shaded was 2-for-3 with two doubles, while LF Evan Gruener was 2-for-4 with his second home run of the year, a solo shot in the fifth inning.