Bradley University Athletics

Baseball Meets I-74 Rival Illinois State in Three-Game Series

Baseball 4/21/2022 3:39:00 PM

The Bradley baseball team looks to continue its momentum in Valley play with a road series against I-74 rival Illinois State this weekend. Coming off a series win over nationally-ranked Dallas Baptist, the Braves take on the Redbirds for three games, starting on Friday at 5 p.m.

ABOUT THE BRAVES
• Bradley owns an 11-19 record with a 3-3 mark in Missouri Valley Conference play.
• The Braves have been led by their offense in 2022, averaging 6.5 runs per game.
• Junior Connor O'Brien has led BU in 2022 – ranking first on the team in batting average (.390), doubles (10) and RBI (29).

SERIES HISTORY
• Bradley has played Illinois State more times than any other school with 221 previous matchups (SIU is second at 177).
• Illinois State holds a 115-105 edge over BU.
• Last season, Bradley won the series versus the Redbirds at Dozer Park, taking the second and third games after falling in the opener.
• The teams are meeting in Normal for the first time since 2018 when BU won 2-of-3 contests.
• Overall, Bradley has won four of the last five series with its rival with Illinois State only claiming the 2019 set.

ABOUT THE REDBIRDS
• Illinois State enters the weekend with a 14-17 overall record and a 2-4 mark in Valley play.
• The Redbirds have won just two of their last six games, which includes taking 1-of-3 versus Valparaiso last weekend.
• The Redbirds are ranked second in the league in ERA (4.76), while being led offensively by Ryan Cermak (14 home runs) and Jake McCaw (nine home runs).

RANKED VICTORIES
• Bradley is coming off its most successful weekend of the season when it took 2-of-3 games against No. 16 Dallas Baptist.
• The Braves ran away with the opener, 10-4, after a six-run first inning before a four-run eighth led to a 5-3 win in game two.
• It marked the first time Bradley won a series over a nationally-ranked team since taking 2-of-3 versus No. 17 DBU in 2016. It was also BU's highest ranked win since defeating No. 16 Missouri State that same season.
• Additionally, Bradley's six-run win in the opener was tied for its largest against a ranked foe in the last 20 seasons (defeated No. 23 Missouri State, 13-4, on April 20, 2002).

VALLEY PITCHING
• The short-handed Bradley pitching staff has been at its best during Valley play through six games.
• The Braves have nearly cut their earned run average in half during conference play – pitching to a 3.76 ERA versus Valley teams compared to 7.41 in non-conference.
• Overall, Bradley is second in the Valley during league play in earned run average (3.76) and first in batting average against (.226).

KING NAMED PITCHER OF THE WEEK
• Senior Nick King was a key contributor to BU's series win over No. 16 Dallas Baptist and was honored with Valley Pitcher of the Week honors.
• King pitched 4.0 scoreless innings against DBU, helping Bradley rally from a 3-1 deficit for a 5-3 win. He allowed just two hits with five strikeouts.

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Players Mentioned

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

#34 Nick King: RHP; 6' 5"; Junior; R/R

Players Mentioned

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

#34 Nick King
: 6' 5"; Junior; R/R
: RHP

Baseball Meets I-74 Rival Illinois State in Three-Game Series

Players Mentioned

#41 Connor O'Brien

#34 Nick King

Players Mentioned

#41 Connor O'Brien

#34 Nick King