Box Score PEORIA, Ill. -- As the rain came to Normal in the ninth inning, the Bradley Braves Baseball team was able to persevere, winning the first game of conference play against rival Illinois State University, 9-8.
When the Braves came to bat in the top of the ninth, they were tied at eight with the Redbirds. Then, Junior
Travis Lutz started the inning with a home run to deep center, giving the Braves a one-run lead. As the rain picked up to an intensity not seen all afternoon, Junior
Anthony Potthoff was able to hold the lead in the bottom of the ninth, leading to the one-run Bradley win. Potthoff threw 49 pitches in two innings.
Lutz and Senior
Logan Delgado both had three hits for the Braves, Lutz earning two RBI. Senior
Ryan Vogel, Sophomore
Beau Durbin and Senior
Jackson Chatterton all had two hits. Durbin and Junior
Tyrese Johnson both had three RBI, with Durbin hitting a two-run homer in the top of the sixth. Johnson was walked twice. Bradley outhit Illinois State, 15-9.
Redshirt-Sophomore
Noah Edders pitched the first seven innings before Potthoff's relief, striking out seven redbirds along his way.
COMING UP...
The Braves will play two more in Normal this weekend, the next game is scheduled for Saturday, March 23 at 3:00 p.m. CT. in Duffy Bass Field.
