The Braves brought a strong offensive performance to Southern Illinois’ Itchy Jones Stadium this past weekend, but untimely defensive miscues resulted in a 1-2 start to the conference season.
“There is no doubt in my mind that we should have come away with a sweep,” sophomore outfielder Ryan Vogel said. “I think we can take some positives out of this weekend, but the biggest takeaway for me is that we should’ve won that series.”
Bradley (8-14) took the trip to Carbondale to face a tough Southern Illinois (20-8) squad in a three-game series that started on April 1. Given the Braves’ thin pitching staff, a series with one of the more potent lineups in the MVC seemed to be a tough hill to climb.
In a twist of trends, runs came at a premium in the series opener Friday as the Braves only gave up a pair to the Salukis. However, Bradley couldn’t produce much offense themselves, as freshman hurler Jacob Kisting took the loss in a 2-0 decision.
In game two, the Braves were more attentive at the plate and clubbed nine hits for five runs. The Braves’ 5-4 lead evaporated thanks to a defensive collapse in the bottom of the ninth, which brought the winning run home for the Salukis, who walked it off by a final of 6-5.
Vogel led the charge for Bradley in Saturday’s game, going 3-5 at the plate, including a home run, but joined fellow sophomore TJ Manteufel in committing multiple errors in the ninth which, helped the Salukis walk it off in game two.
“The physical errors are bound to happen,” head coach Elvis Dominguez said. “We did talk about it the next day, [they] just misplayed it, things like that happen.”
In the series finale, the Braves made sure to salvage a win on the road, as they came away with a 9-5 victory.
Senior Matt Hamilton took the win on the mound, pitching five innings and giving up just three hits. Junior designated hitter Connor Manthey had a big performance, going 2-4 at the plate, including a double and a home run.
“Our pitchers were unbelievable this weekend,” Vogel said. “I’m really proud of the staff, and Hamilton[‘s performance] on Sunday, I mean that’s top of the line.”
Despite going 1-2 in Carbondale, the pitchers held their own versus a challenging Saluki lineup. Additionally, the offense, despite not pushing a run across in the first game, outscored the Salukis 14-13 in the series overall.
“We hit well,” Vogel said. “It just takes one bat to start the rally and we do a good job of building off momentum.”
The Braves now sit at 8-15, but have played 22 of their 23 games away from home. Before Bradley’s home opener against Iowa on Wednesday, the Braves were just one of seven teams in Division I baseball to have not played a home contest.
“They’re antsy,” Dominguez said. “Mother Nature’s undefeated, we haven’t been able to catch a break; [Tuesday] was the first day they’ve practiced outside and on our field since March 17.”
After dropping a see-saw battle in extra innings against Iowa on Wednesday, the Braves will remain at home for a three-game non-conference set against Wright State with a doubleheader on Saturday and series finale on Sunday.
