NEW ORLEANS –
Brandon Mitchell pitched into the sixth inning and allowed just one run in his start but the Bradley Braves capitalized on late opportunities as they defeated the New Orleans Privateers 9-5 on Saturday at Maestri Field.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Mitchell threw 5.1 innings and struck out five batters. The offense came through with five runs in the second to give New Orleans an early lead.
Gaige Howard singled in two and the remaining runs came in on a throwing error with the bases loaded.
However, the Braves stormed back in the seventh inning with six runs. The big hit came on a three-run double by TJ Manteufel with the bases loaded and two outs which put the Braves ahead. Another run came in on a throwing error.
Bradley added two more when an error helped extend the eighth inning. Eli Rawlinson just cleared the left field fence on a two-run home run to extend the Braves lead to 9-5.
Jed Moscot picked up the win for Bradley with 5.2 scoreless innings. He allowed just three hits in his long relief appearance after starter, Brooks Gosswein was chased with one out in the third.
INSIDE THE BOX
The Privateers collected four hits on the day with two going to Howard.
KC Simonich had a pinch hit double in the seventh and
Darren Willis singled in his last at-bat of the day. Privateer batters were hit four times by Gosswein in his stretch on the bump.
There were seven combined errors: four to New Orleans and three on Bradley. The Braves collected 10 hits on the game.
NEXT UP
The series closes on Sunday with an 11 a.m. first pitch. Nick King starts for Bradley while the Privateers starter is yet to be announced.
