PEORIA, Ill. – Bradley Baseball continues its early-season schedule this weekend with a three-game series against Saint Louis. The Braves enter the matchup at 4-7 overall, while the Billikens arrive with a 4-9 record through their first 13 games of the season.
Bradley Braves Overview
Bradley enters the weekend hitting .249 as a team with 90 hits and 74 runs scored through the first 11 games of the season. The Braves have continued to pressure opposing defenses with aggressive base running, swiping 34 bases in 41 attempts while consistently looking to create offense through speed.
Michael Quick has been one of Bradley's most productive hitters early in the season, batting .326 with 14 hits while posting a .442 on-base percentage and scoring eight runs. Cal Leighton has also delivered strong production, hitting .304 with seven RBIs and a .478 slugging percentage across his appearances.
Hayden Miller has provided power in the middle of the lineup, blasting four home runs while driving in 10 runs and swiping nine stolen bases. AJ Garcia has added balance offensively with a .304 batting average, seven RBIs, and six stolen bases, while Landon Lowe has contributed with a .294 average and eight RBIs through the opening stretch.
On the mound, Davis Webb has been one of Bradley's most effective arms out of the bullpen with a 3.48 ERA and 13 strikeouts across 10.1 innings of work. The Braves' pitching staff has recorded 74 strikeouts overall as the group continues working toward consistency early in the season.
Defensively, Bradley holds a .948 fielding percentage and has turned nine double plays through the first 11 games, highlighting continued emphasis on defensive execution under first-year head coach Justin Dedman.
Saint Louis Billikens Overview
Saint Louis enters the weekend series hitting .232 as a team with 96 hits and 60 runs scored through 13 games this season. The Billikens have produced 15 home runs early in the year, showing the ability to generate offense through extra-base power.
Joey Canzoni has been one of the team's top hitters, batting .289 with two home runs and six RBIs, while Riley Iffrig is hitting .273 with three doubles and six RBIs. Drew Kleinheider has provided additional run production with six RBIs and a strong .457 on-base percentage.
Chase Beattie has also made an impact in limited appearances, hitting .333 with four home runs and nine RBIs while posting a .952 slugging percentage.
On the mound, the Billikens carry a 6.71 team ERA through 104.2 innings pitched. Ty Holman has been one of Saint Louis' most effective starters with a 3.24 ERA in three starts, while Noah Andrunas has logged 16.1 innings with a 4.96 ERA.
Defensively, Saint Louis has been solid in the field with a .972 team fielding percentage through the opening weeks of the season.
Matchup Outlook
The weekend series presents an opportunity for Bradley to continue building momentum as the Braves navigate the early portion of the season, quickly making their way towards conference play. Bradley's ability to generate offense through speed and aggressive base running could play a significant role in creating scoring chances.
Saint Louis brings a lineup capable of producing power throughout the order, making command on the mound and clean defensive play critical for the Braves. If Bradley can limit extra-base damage, control counts on the mound, and continue applying pressure on the bases, the Braves will put themselves in position to compete throughout the weekend series.
