March 23, 2011

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Bradley scored five runs in the second inning Wednesday night and went on to defeat Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 8-2 in baseball at SimmonsCooper Complex.

The Braves, 13-6, took a 1-0 lead with a run on three hits in the top of the first inning, before the Cougars answered.

SIUE, 5-15, also scored a run on three hits in its half of the first inning. Mitch Matecki lined a one-out single to left to drive home Travis Becherer, who had singled to start the inning.

Bradley then used the second inning to break open the 1-1 game. The Braves used five hits and two Cougar errors in the inning to cash in. With two outs, and no runs in, Brian Martin flied a pitch to right that was misplayed, thanks in large part to a strong wind.

"We were not prepared for the elements," SIUE Head Coach Gary Collins said. "The wind got us about four or five times and it should not have happened."

The Braves would go on to score five runs in the inning, all coming with two outs. Rob Elliot and Brad Kimball each tripled in the inning for Bradley. Martin singled to drive in a run in the third to make it 7-1 Bradley.

All seven of the runs came against SIUE starter Ryan Daniels, though only two were earned. Daniels tossed five innings, walked three, and did not strike out a batter. Daniels fell to 0-3 with the loss.

The Cougars' only other run came in the seventh inning. Brett Keeler walked with one out and scored when Brian Sipe lined a two-out single to center. The RBI was the first of Sipe's college career.

Becherer led the way for the Cougars at the plate. He was 2 for 4. Matecki was 1 for 3 with the RBI. Sipe also was 1 for 3 with the RBI. Zach Hawkins had the only other hit for SIUE.

Bradley banged out 16 hits against three SIUE pitchers. Martin led the way for the Braves he was 3 for 5 with a pair of RBIs.

Brian Lorenz threw 3 1/3 innings in relief for the Cougars. Lorenz allowed an unearned run on four hits and struck out one.

"Lorenz pitched fine. He kept the ball down and threw strikes," Collins said. "He made Bradley hit the ball on the ground."

Tory Doerr, 1-0, earned the win for Bradley. The starter went six innings, allowing just a run on four hits. He struck out three.

The Cougars host Tennessee Tech in a three-game weekend series beginning Friday at SimmonsCooper Complex. First pitch Friday is set for 7 p.m.