Illinois State Falls, 9-8, to Open Series vs Bradley

NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State baseball team led through four innings but dropped a 9-8 result to Bradley Friday at Duffy Bass Field to open MVC play.

A home run from senior Greg Nichols and a couple timely hits by JT Sokolove and Luke Lawrence provided key runs as the Redbirds (10-10 overall, 0-1 MVC) battled back from an 8-3 deficit to ultimately tie the game, before the Braves (7-13 overall, 1-0 MVC) won with a 9th-inning home run.

HOW IT HAPPENED  

The 'Birds jumped on the board in the 1st inning as redshirt junior Judah Morris singled home sophomore Daniel Pacella.

Bradley scored twice in the top of the 3rd to lead, but Lawrence singled home two runs in the 4th to retake the lead, 4-3.

The Braves scored the game's next five runs, highlighted by a two-run home rum in the 6th to lead 8-3.

Nichols smacked a two-run home run to right center in the 6th inning to bring the 'Birds within three, 8-5.

With one out in the 8th inning, Sokolove reached on a fielder's choice and advanced to second off a throwing error by the Bradley shortstop which saw Morris score to bring the 'Birds within two. Then, Lawrence would get another RBI off a hit to the infield, plating Sokolove and tying the game at 8-8.

Bradley's leadoff hitter would send the second pitch of the 9th inning over the center field wall to record the eventual winning hit, giving Bradley a 9-8 win.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE 

• Nichols' home run was his second in as many games.
• Auggie Rasmussen and Sokolove move their hitting streak to eight games, leading the team.
• Lawrence totaled 3 RBIs, his third game with three RBIs in 2024.

UP NEXT  

Illinois State and Bradley are set to continue the series on Saturday at 3 p.m. CT from Duffy Bass Field.

For the latest updates on Illinois State Baseball, stay tuned at GoRedbirds.com, follow the Redbirds on Twitter (@RedbirdBaseball) and Instagram (isuredbirdbaseball), and like the team on Facebook (Illinois State Baseball). 

GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App:  Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Athletic Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.