PEORIA, Ill. -- As the rain came to Normal in the ninth inning, the Bradley Braves Baseball team was able to persevere, winning the first game of conference play against rival Illinois State University, 9-8.
When the Braves came to bat in the top of the ninth, they were tied at eight with the Redbirds. Then, Junior Travis Lutz started the inning with a home run to deep center, giving the Braves a one-run lead. As the rain picked up to an intensity not seen all afternoon, Junior Anthony Potthoff was able to hold the lead in the bottom of the ninth, leading to the one-run Bradley win.