May 17, 2025 | Evansville, Ind. | GAB Field @ The Braun
The Braves secured a postseason berth with a decisive series win over Evansville, clinching the No. 7 seed in the upcoming Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. Bradley will open play on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at Duffy Bass Field in Bloomington, Illinois.
Game 1: Bradley 9, Evansville 4
Bradley opened the series with a balanced offensive attack and clutch pitching in a 9-4 win. The Braves built an early 2-0 lead before erupting for five runs in the sixth to take control. Jackson Smith, Mason Breidenbach, and Bobby Atkinson each recorded multi-hit games, while Brayden Marks earned the save, throwing 2 ⅓ innings with two strikeouts. Bradley tallied 15 hits as a team and didn't commit an error in the field.
Top Performer: Mason Breidenbach (2-for-3, 2 RBI, 2 BB)
Bradley Offense: 9 runs, 15 hits, 3 walks, 9 strikeouts
Pitching Grit: 4 runs allowed, all earned, 12 strikeouts
Game 2: Evansville 12, Bradley 8
Despite a five-run fifth inning and three home runs, Bradley couldn't overcome Evansville's power in an offensive slugfest. The Braves were outhit 12-9 and issued eight walks on the mound. Cole Smith homered and scored twice, while Timmy O'Brien added a two-run blast and drove in three. Jackson Smith had a two-hit day at the top of the order.
Top Performer: Timmy O'Brien (2-for-2, HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB, HBP)
Bradley Offense: 8 runs, 9 hits, 7 walks, 8 strikeouts
Pitching Grit: 12 runs allowed, all earned, 8 strikeouts
Game 3: Bradley 23, Evansville 11
Bradley exploded for a season-high 23 runs in a dominant series finale to secure the No. 7 seed in the MVC Tournament. The Braves scored eight runs in the opening inning and never looked back, notching 17 hits, drawing 11 walks, and getting production from nearly the entire lineup. Jackson Smith went 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBI, while Beau Durbin drove in five. On the mound, Jack Stellano earned the win with five strikeouts across 5+ innings.
Top Performer: Jackson Smith (3-for-5, HR, 3 RBI, BB, SH)
Bradley Offense: 23 runs, 17 hits, 11 walks, 6 strikeouts
Pitching Grit: 11 runs allowed, 10 earned, 4 strikeouts
Looking Ahead
With the series win over Evansville, Bradley claimed the No. 7 seed in the 2025 MVC Tournament—leapfrogging both Indiana State and Evansville after earning head-to-head series victories against each. The Braves will open postseason play against the No. 6 seed Belmont Bruins on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at Duffy Bass Field in Bloomington, Illinois.
