PEORIA,
Ill.
- The Bradley Braves were the extra-inning winners in game two of the Missouri
Valley Conference weekend series at O'Brien Field on Saturday, getting a
walk-off single from Mike Tauchman in the bottom of the 11th inning
to win 5-4 over the Indiana State baseball team.
The loss is sixth by one run and the fifth in walk-off fashion for the
Sycamores this season, who fall to 27-9 overall and 7-4 in the MVC. The Braves
improve to 18-13-1 on the season and an even 4-4 in league play.
ISU took the lead in the first inning, getting back-to-back doubles with two
outs from junior Jeremy Lucas and Robby Ort to take a 1-0 lead.
BU tied the score on a solo home run by Bob Schuch in the third inning before
taking a 3-1 lead in the sixth on a two-run double by Max Murphy.
Indiana State fought back in the late innings again, tying the score in the top
of the eighth inning when Ort hit his fifth home run of the season, a towering,
two-run shot to right field to level the game at 3-3.
The Sycamores took a 4-3 lead in the top of the ninth inning, beginning the rally
on a one-out single to center by senior Kyle Burnam. After Lucas was hit by a
pitch, Ort drove in his fourth run of the game with a single up the middle of
the infield. Senior Jon Hedges followed by drawing a walk to load the bases
with one out, but Bradley reliever Danny Gifford was able to strike out the next
two ISU batters to keep the Braves within one run.
The Braves tied the game without the aid of a hit in the bottom of the ninth
inning, as Bradley loaded the bases with one out on three walks. Bradley's Rob
Elliott tied the game with a sacrifice fly to left on the first pitch of his
at-bat.
Bradley walked off with two outs in the bottom of the 11th inning
when Tauchman singled through the middle of the infield and off a diving glove
of sophomore Tyler Wampler at short.
Indiana State put runners on base in all 11 innings, but stranded 14 runners for
the game.
Sophomore Sean Manaea started for ISU and pitched into the eighth inning,
scattering nine hits with nine strikeouts while allowing three runs.
Ort led the Sycamores with a 3-for-6 effort at the plate, driving in four runs
including a two-run home run. Lucas was hit by three pitches, going 2-for-3
with two runs scored.
Indiana State and Bradley will play the rubber match of their three-game series
at 2:00 p.m. (ET) on Sunday. ISU will send junior right-hander Ryan Torgerson
(5-1, 2.64 ERA) to the mound against BU's redshirt junior right-handed pitcher
Ryan Flanagan (1-0, 3.38 ERA).
