Late-inning magic proved to be the difference on Sunday as the Bradley baseball team split a doubleheader with Western Michigan, posting a 7-2 victory before falling in a 19-17 thriller to wrap up the series. Bradley is now 2-1 through the first series of the 2022 campaign, while Western Michigan is 1-2.
Game One Recap
In a scheduled seven-inning game, the Braves scored five runs in the final frame to turn a 2-2 contest into a 7-2 BU victory.
After Carson Husmann opened the inning with a double, the sophomore scored one batter later after a Bronco error. Adam Brian then doubled the advantage to 4-2 when he scored after a sacrifice fly before TJ Manteufel doubled home two runs for the 6-2 game. Connor Manthey then drove in one final run with a one-out single for the five-run final difference.
Sophomore Taylor Catton earned the victory on the mound, pithing a scoreless seventh frame for his first victory of the campaign.
Bradley grabbed the lead against the Broncos thanks to two solo shots in the second inning. Husmann got things started for BU with his fourth career home run before freshman Cal McGinnis added his first career homer for the 2-0 game.
Western Michigan pulled one back in the second before squaring the game at two with a solo shot in the bottom of the sixth, setting up Bradley's go-ahead five-run seventh.
Game Two Recap
Western Michigan returned the favor in game two of the doubleheader, scoring eight runs in the final frame to pull out a 19-17 victory over the Braves.
After falling behind, 9-2, through 2.5 innings, the Braves used a nine-run third frame to pull in front of the Broncos, 11-9. Eight of nine Braves reached base during the inning as BU took advantage of six hits and five walks for the two-run edge through three innings of play.
The lead would hold until the ninth inning before the Broncos were able to take advantage. Trailing, 14-11, scored five runs before hitting a grand slam for a 19-14 lead. The Braves pulled three back in the bottom half of the inning but Western Michigan had just enough pitching left to secure the 19-17 win.
Connor O'Brien led BU with four hits in the contest, while also hitting his first home run of the season to go with four RBI and three runs scored.
The Braves return to action on Friday with a pair of games against Pittsburgh (11 a.m.) and Lipscomb (3 p.m.).
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