Bradley University Athletics

Braves Square Off With Illinois in Midweek Contest

Baseball 3/21/2022 6:00:00 PM

After playing seven games in 10 days in Florida, the Bradley baseball team returns to the Land of Lincoln for a midweek contest against in-state foe Illinois. First pitch in Champaign is set for 4 p.m.

ABOUT THE BRAVES
• The Braves are 5-11 during the 2022 season.
• Bradley is back in Illinois after playing the previous seven games during a 10-day span in Florida. BU posted a 2-5 record during its Spring Break trip.
• Bradley is led by its offense in 2022 – ranking second in the Valley in batting average (.304) and fourth in runs per game (7.2).

SERIES HISTORY
• In a series that dates back to 1927, Illinois holds a 43-23-1 advantage over the Braves.
• The schools are playing for the first time since the 2019 season as COVID had paused the in-state rivalry the last two years.
• The Braves have won their last four trips at Illinois Field, earning victories in 2012, 2017, 2018 and 2019. The Illini last won a home game in the series in 2010.

WE'RE GOING STREAKING!
• Junior Connor O'Brien has consistently led the Braves throughout the 2022 campaign.
• O'Brien has recorded at least one hit in 14-of-16 games this season, while reaching base in 15 contests.
• The junior is currently on a career-best 11-game hitting streak, while reaching base safely in 14-straight contests.
• Overall, O'Brien leads Bradley in batting average (.397), hits (25), doubles (6), home runs (4), RBI (20) and slugging percentage (.683) in 2022.

IMPROVED OFFENSE
• Bradley has started the season strong on the offensive end and has taken a large step from the 2021 campaign.
• The Braves are hitting .304 through 16 games this season after posting a .265 average one year ago.
• In fact, all seven Braves that have played at least 10 games this season and played last year have increased their batting average by at least .020.

OFFENSIVE ORIENTED
• Overall, fans should expect a lot of runs in Bradley games this season.
• BU and its opponent have combined to score 250 runs in just 11 games this season – an average of 15.6 runs per game, which is easily the highest average in the Valley this season.

CAUGHT STEALING
• The defensive highlight for BU is senior Keaton Rice, who is nearing a school record.
• Rice has thrown out 57 runners during his career – including a Valley-best seven in 2022.
• The senior is now just one shy of the school record, set by Austin Jarvis from 2011-14.
• Rice has thrown out seven runners this season in just 13 stolen-base attempts – easily ranking first in the Valley with a .538 rate (Valparaiso's Angel DiFederico is second at .258).

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Players Mentioned

#41 Connor O'Brien: C/IF; 6' 0"; Sophomore; R/R

#15 Keaton Rice: C; 6' 2"; Junior; L/R

Players Mentioned

#41 Connor O'Brien
: 6' 0"; Sophomore; R/R
: C/IF

#15 Keaton Rice
: 6' 2"; Junior; L/R
: C

Braves Square Off With Illinois in Midweek Contest

Players Mentioned

#41 Connor O'Brien

#15 Keaton Rice

Players Mentioned

#41 Connor O'Brien

#15 Keaton Rice