CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A day after a thrilling eighth-inning rally, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi could not duplicate the comeback as Bradley leveled the series with a 9-5 victory Saturday afternoon.
The Braves (1-1) capitalized on 11 free passes, scoring the nine runs on just eight hits.
The Islanders (1-1) jumped out to a 3-0 lead on the strength of a pair of RBI from junior
Jackson Owens. In his first start as an Islander, Owens dropped an RBI-single into left field to cap a 2-run bottom of the first before launching a solo shot in the third.
Bradley rallied with a big fifth as Islander pitchers struggled to find the zone, issuing five free passes. The walks led to five runs on just three hits.
Nolan Holland (0-1) took the loss in relief for the Blue and Green. Holland allowed two runs, both earned on a pair of hits and three walks.
Korey Rasure earned the start for the Islanders, working into the fifth before finding trouble. The left-hander ended the day with three earned runs on his line while allowing just two hits. Rasure issued three walks and hit another two batters.
IMPACT INNINGS
BOTTOM 1
>> Two walks to leadoff the inning sparked a 2-run first for A&M-Corpus Christi.
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Jackson Owens provided an RBI-single in the frame.
BOTTOM 3
>> Owens launched a 2-out solo shot to right field to extend the Islander lead to 3-0. It was Owens first home run as an Islander.
TOP 5
>> Two walks to start the inning turned into five free passes for Bradley as the Braves scored five runs to take the lead.
>> Luke Shadid and Luke Mangieri provided RBI knocks for the Braves big frame.
TOP 8
>> Luke Shadid provided his second RBI-knock of the game with a 2-run single to extend Bradley's lead to 8-4.
>> Mangieri made it 9-4 with an RBI-fielder's choice.
RUBBER MATCH SUNDAY
The Islanders and Braves meet for the series win Sunday afternoon at Chapman Field.
Chris Cooper is scheduled to get the ball for the Islanders.
