at Bradley 2, #16 Missouri State 1

PEORIA, IL - Senior LHP Cameron Roegner allowed just three hits in his first career complete game, pitching Bradley (15-10, 1-1 MVC) to a 2-1 victory against #16 Missouri State (25-6, 1-1 MVC) Saturday afternoon at Dozer Park.

In addition to striking out seven, Roegner (W 3-3) induced 10 popouts from Missouri State's dangerous lineup. He was perfect through the first four innings, struck out the side in the seventh and took a 2-hit shutout into the ninth. Missouri State star third baseman Jake Burger, who was 0-for-8 in the series, broke up the shutout with a 1-out home run in the ninth, but Roegner finished off the win by striking out Spencer Johnson and getting a lineout from Jeremy Eierman.

Bradley put runners on base in each of the first four innings, but could not break through against Missouri State starter Dylan Coleman (L 4-2) until the fifth. Freshman DH Luke Mangieri, who singled in his first two at-bats, drew a leadoff walk to start the fifth. After Spencer Gaa moved him to second, Magierie advanced to third on a Tyler Leffler ground ball. Bears 2B Aaron Meyer bobbled the grounder, allowing the Braves to put runners on the corners. Senior 1B Paul Solka delivered a RBI single and after a wild pitch moved Leffler to third, Ian Kristan followed with a sacrifice fly to drive home what proved to be the winning run.

Given the lead, Roegner retired 10 of Missouri State's next 11 hitters, allowing only Matt Dezort's 1-out single in the sixth before Burger's blast in the ninth.

The teams are scheduled to play the rubber game in the 3-game weekend series at noon Sunday at Dozer Park.

NOTE: Immediately following Saturday's game, the Braves took part in their second annual head-shaving party on the Dozer Park center field concourse. The event is part of the team's efforts to raise awareness and funds for the Vs. Cancer Foundation in the fight against childhood cancer. After raising more than $11,000 during their 2015 campaign, Bradley Baseball has set a goal of $12,000 in their 2016 efforts. More Information