MVC BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME 7 – No. 3 BRADLEY 5, No. 7 INDIANA STATE 4
WICHITA, Kan. – No. 3 Bradley belted a three-run home run off the bat of Evan Gruener in the top of the ninth inning, topping No. 7 Indiana State, 5-4. The Braves will await the winner of Friday's elimination game between Dallas Baptist and Indiana State.
Indiana State got on the board first in the bottom of the third inning, scoring two runs on a Tyler Friis groundout to second base that brought home Andy DeJesus and a Hunter Owen single that plated Landon Curry.
The seventh inning produced two runs on both sides of the board, as Bradley scored two unearned runs on a Friis throwing error that eventually brought home both Spencer Gaa and Paul Solka.
The Sycamores answered in their half of the seventh inning, going ahead 4-2 as Tyler Friis earned redemption from his throwing error that allowed two Bradley runs to be scored. Friis singled up the middle to bring home Connor McClain, before Andy Young grounded out to third base, scoring Andy DeJesus.
Bradley took the lead for good in dramatic fashion in the top half of the ninth inning. After walking Elliot Ashbeck, Bradley's Paul Solka singled into right field after a tricky pop-up in no-man's land caused confusion between two Sycamore defenders. With runners on first and second and just one out remaining for the Braves, sophomore Evan Gruener took a shot over the right field wall to score three runs and take a 5-4 lead.
Indiana State would get two base runners on in the bottom half of the ninth inning, but Braves' closer Matt Dennis shut the door on Indiana State when he struck out Manny Estevez to end the game.
Braves' starting pitcher Brent Stong gave up three runs on three hits in 6.0 innings of work, while striking out five. Sophomore Matt Dennis earned the victory after coming in for 3.0 innings of relief, giving up one run on six hits and two strikeouts.
Indiana State starter Ryan Keaffaber went 7.2 innings, allowing two runs on seven hits, while striking out seven Bradley batters. Austin Conway was credited with the loss after 1.2 innings of relief that netted three runs on two hits.
Bradley improved to 34-18 on the season, while Indiana State fell to 28-25.