end. Kristan is seventh on the team with a batting average of .305. Photo submitted by Dan Smith.
After winning their first two home games of the season against MacMurray College and Illinois College, the Bradley baseball team remained undefeated at home Tuesday night against Western Illinois.
In the bottom of the eighth, junior third baseman Spencer Gaa put the nail in the coffin by driving in two runs on a two-out single through the left side of the infield.
“They were pounding me on the inner half of the plate all night, so I was expecting a pitch on the inner half,” Gaa said. “He threw a changeup on the inner half, I just made a good swing and it happened to get through.”
Despite the cold winds blowing through Dozer Park, the Braves hopped out to an early lead when senior shortstop Tyler Leffler ripped an RBI double just inside the left field line in the bottom of the first. However, the momentum gradually shifted when Braves freshman starter Ben Olsen had trouble finding the zone, dishing out five walks that turned into two runs.
The Leathernecks put a run on the board in each of the next three innings and held a 3-1 lead while their pitchers continued to pound the strike zone.
Coach Elvis Dominguez pulled Olsen after three innings and turned the game over to his relievers, who were able to quiet down the Western Illinois bats for the rest of the game.
“Obviously the elements made it a tough day to pitch,” Dominguez said. “I was really pleased with the fact that we were able to shut it down with our middle guys and then close it out. Our bullpen really picked us up today.”
The Braves were finally able to put some runs together in the bottom of the sixth. Freshman designated hitter Luke Mangieri popped a ball up on the infield that dropped as an error, and sophomore second baseman D.J. Gasso followed with a bloop single to right field, which tied the game up at three.
In the bottom of the eighth, the Braves had the chance to put the game away for good. Evan Gruener drilled a single to the right, which was followed by a hit batter and two more walks, giving the Braves a 4-3 lead.
“We always have an offensive plan when we go up to the plate and our guys stuck with it,” Dominguez said. “They battled. They scratched a few at bats in there, especially with two strikes in the eighth inning. Every game is important, so you’ve got to be able to battle back and get the job done.”
Bradley then took a 6-3 lead into the bottom of the nint,h and junior Eric Scheuermann closed out the game by pitching a flawless half inning.
The Braves improved to 14-9 on the season and will host Missouri State in a three-game series beginning at 6 p.m. tonight.
“It was a big win going into the weekend,” Gaa said. “Missouri State beat us in the Missouri Valley Conference Championship last year, so we have a little beef with them, and we’re excited to go to work the next couple of days and get ready for the series.”
