TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Missouri State is one victory away from a return trip to the NCAA Tournament.
The Bears defeated Bradley for the second consecutive day Saturday, eliminating the Braves from the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament and advancing to Saturday night’s championship game against Dallas Baptist.
The usual heroes stepped up again in Missouri State’s 3-1 victory, with Spencer Johnson and Justin Paulsen hitting back-to-back home runs in the second inning to give the Bears a 2-0 lead.
It was Johnson’s 24th home run of the season and his fifth of the tournament.
Blake Graham drove in a run with a sacrifice fly in the third inning, and two Missouri State pitchers held the Braves in check.