NORMAL, Ill. - - Belmont (25-28, 12-13 MVC) opened their final regular season series against Illinois State (26-25, 14-11 MVC) Thursday evening. Despite an early deficit, the Bruins rattled off 11 runs on 10 hits in the final six innings to win 11-5.
Bruin Bullets
- Sam Slaughter went 1-for-3 and walked twice. He extended his on-base streak to 22 games.
- Jack Rando went 2-for-4 with an RBI and run.
- Brodey Heaton went 3-for-5 with three RBIs and a home run.
- Max Jones drove in two runs on a pinch-hit single.
- Cade Granzow picked up the win and improved to 5-2 on the season. Granzow threw 4.1 shutout innings, two hits and struck out two Redbirds.
Illinois State scored three runs on four hits in the first inning to take an early 3-0 lead.
Belmont got on the board in the fourth inning thanks to
Brodey Heaton's 15
th home run of the season. The solo shot to left field made it a 3-1 ballgame.
The Bruins scored again in the fifth inning. Belmont had runners on first and second with two outs.
Jeff Clarke advanced the third on a wild pitch and
Sam Slaughter got into a rundown between first and second. An error by the first baseman on a throw home scored Clarke and made it a one-run deficit for the Bruins.
In the bottom half, Illinois State scored two runs on a two-out triple to right on a mistimed diving attempt by Slaughter. The Redbirds went back in front by three runs, 5-2.
Belmont responded in the sixth inning.
Blake Barton stepped into the box with Heaton on first and one out. A perfectly executed bunt and throwing error by the catcher scored Heaton from first base. Barton scored on a groundball up the middle from
Landon Godsey. Belmont trailed 5-4.
The Bruins took the lead in the seventh inning. Belmont had the bases loaded with one out.
Mason Landers struck out for the second out.
Brodey Heaton delivered in a 1-2 count and singled to left field. Slaughter and
Max Blessinger scored. The Bruins had their first lead of the game at 6-5.
Belmont's offense exploded in the eighth inning for five runs on five hits.
Max Jones drove in two runs on a single to center field. Rando followed with an RBI single to right-center field. Slaughter scored on a wild pitch. Landers rounded out the scoring for the Bruins with an RBI single.
Cade Granzow picked up the win and improved to 5-2 on the season. Granzow threw 4.1 shutout innings, two hits and struck out two Redbirds. Belmont won the game 11-5.
Belmont and Illinois State return to action tomorrow at Duffy Bass Field. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. Fans can stream the game on ESPN+ or follow along with live stats.
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