Peoria, IL. – The Bradley Braves 16-32 (7-20) closed out the season against the Belmont Bruins 25-31 (10-17), falling in the series' first two games before walking off the Bruins on Senior Day.

Game Recaps
Game 1 | Thursday, May 18th | Belmont 4 - Bradley 0

Game one between the Bruins and Braves was a lower-scoring contest featuring great bullpen work. Belmont scored in the second, third and fourth innings to mount a 4-0 lead and chase Bradley starting pitcher Jacob Kisting. Bradley had opportunities to score, but Belmont's starter continuously got out of trouble. Bradley's bullpen did well to keep Bradley in striking distance as Anthony Potthoff, Josh Flack and Connor Langrell combined to throw five scoreless innings, including four innings from Potthoff. Ryan Vogel and Logan Delgado combined to reach base seven times throughout the game with Vogel tallying a hit and three walks and Delgado walking once and getting hit by a pitch twice.

Game 2 | Friday, May 19th | Belmont 5 - Bradley 3 (12 innings)

Game two between the Bruins and Braves started fast before turning into a test of endurance. After Belmont got one run home in the top of the first, Bradley plated two runs in the bottom half after RBI singles from Logan Delgado and Michael Mylott. In the top of the third, Belmont scored two runs to lead 3-2, but a sacrifice fly from Easton Harris tied the game once more. With both starting pitchers out of the game after the third inning, bullpen pitching was paramount. Travis Lutz, in relief of Noah Edders, pitched five scoreless innings, surrendering only three hits while striking out seven batters. Brayden Marks would pitch three perfect innings after Lutz. Belmont also got good work out of their bullpen, pitching 8.1 innings of scoreless relief. As the game went to the 12th, Belmont scored the game's first runs since the third, plating two runs before the Bruins' bullpen pitched a ninth scoreless inning to end the marathon. 

Game 3 | Saturday, May 20th | Belmont 3 - Bradley 4

Game three between the Bruins and Braves was bittersweet as the Braves celebrated the team's seven seniors before the game. Both teams scored one run in the first inning after Belmont scored on a bases-loaded walk and Ryan Vogel scored on a passed ball. After a shaky first, Bradley starter Jacob Norris settled in and threw four more innings, totaling five innings while allowing just one run. The game would remain scoreless until the sixth when Belmont hit a two-out RBI single to take the lead. In the bottom half of the sixth, Jackson Chatterton hit a solo home run to re-tie the game at two. In the bottom of the seventh, Bradley was threatening after loading the bases with one out. Ryan Vogel hit a ball back to the pitcher as Belmont attempted to turn a 1-2-3 double play, but the catcher's throw hit Vogel in the back and got away, allowing two Bradley runners to score. However, upon review, batter's interference was called, erasing the two runs and keeping the game tied at two. In the top of the ninth, Belmont scored an unearned run to take the lead 3-2. In the bottom of the ninth, Cole Luckey reached on an error, Connor Manthey was hit by a pitch, and Adam Brian bunted for a single to load the bases with nobody out. TJ Manteufel hit a sacrifice fly to tie the game at three. Belmont intentionally walked Vogel to reload the bases with one out. Jackson Chatterton would make the Bruins pay, singling to right field and walking off a Senior Day victory for the Braves. Each senior contributed in the game, with Manthey, Brian, Peter Hansen and Connor O'Brien starting in the field and Dalton Mall, John Day and Connor Langrell each pitching an inning on the mound.