A 1-2 start to the season was likely not how the Braves envisioned their 2016 campaign to begin against Austin Peay State University last weekend.
Then again, losing three starters, including one preseason all-conference player, was also not part of the plan. In three games, the Braves lost sophomore catcher Ian Kristan, junior third-baseman Spencer Gaa and senior pitcher Brent Stong to various injuries.
Head coach Elvis Dominguez said each injured player’s recovery is currently evaluated as day-to-day.
The Braves started junior Matt Dennis on the mound in the series opener, and his debut as a starter was anything but stellar. The junior All-American went four innings, giving up five runs on five hits and four free passes. Dennis also managed to strike out seven, but the Braves were ultimately dished their first loss of the year, 7-1.
“If you ask him, he wasn’t very happy with his performance,” Dominguez said. “He was disappointed that he wasn’t able to command more pitches; his secondary stuff was lacking on Friday. Those are things he can control. Being his first collegiate start, he might’ve been too amped up, but I think in his second start he’ll tone it down.”
The next day’s results wouldn’t prove to be much different as the men fell 8-4. Senior lefty Cameron Roegner toed the rubber for the Braves, but his outing didn’t last long. Roegner gave up six runs in only three innings of work.
The Braves surrendered seven runs in the final game, but the bats finally broke through for the men as they found themselves in the winning column for the first time this season, winning 9-7.
Despite the setbacks, Dominguez said he thought the weekend was a success.
“I thought we did a decent job of adjusting to some adversity,” Dominguez said. “I thought the young guys did a great job of filling in and giving us a little boost there.”
Dominguez praised Austin Peay on their skill level, even comparing them to last year’s Bradley team.
“We played pretty well for being the first time out against a very, very good team,” Dominguez said. “They pitch well, they hit, they did everything just about right, and we gave them too many opportunities. Overall, I thought the weekend ended on a good note.”
Because of the injuries, new players were forced to contribute significant playing time for the team. In fact, seven Braves made their debut over the weekend, notably freshman Jean-Francois Garon, who served as the DH and right fielder. Garon went 3-12 during the opening series, including a triple, a sacrifice fly and one run batted in.
Dominguez said the obvious adjustment he wants his pitchers to make is to reduce the amount of base runners allowed, especially the number of walks; Bradley starters gave up eight walks in only nine innings of work.
As the Braves begin play again tonight in San Antonio, Dominguez said he hopes to have some of his key players back to face some stiff competition. They play Notre Dame today at 11:30 a.m. and face Incarnate Word later today at 4 p.m.
