Bears Open Series with an Extra-Innings Walk-Off

SPRINGFIELD, MO - Missouri State All-American Jake Burger hit a 2-run, walk-off home run, lifting the host Bears (16-9, 1-0 MVC) to a 5-3 win against Bradley (10-13, 0-1 MVC) Friday night at Hammons Field.

In a game that did not start until 8:45 due to the preceding professional baseball exhibition between the Springfield and St. Louis Cardinals, the Missouri Valley Conference opener for both teams extended just past midnight before Burger launched his 10th home run of the year for the game-winner.

Bradley outhit the Bears, 11-8, and started the game with four consecutive singles to key two first-inning runs. Derek Bangert drove in the first run with a bases-loaded single and Ian Kristan…