RICHMOND, Ky. – Cade Sullivan launched a grand slam as part of an eight-run ninth inning, as Western Michigan rallied to top Bradley, 19-17, in the finale of the two teams' Opening Weekend series on Sunday. Bradley took the first game of Sunday's twin bill, 7-2.
 
FINAL SCORE (G1): Bradley 7, Western Michigan 2 (F/7)
LOCATION: Turkey Hughes Field at Earle Combs Stadium (Richmond, Ky.)
RECORDS: Western Michigan (0-2) | Bradley (2-0)   
W: Taylor Catton (1-0) | L: Joe Shapiro (0-1) | Save: None
 
FINAL SCORE (G2): Western Michigan 19, Bradley 17
LOCATION: Turkey Hughes Field at Earle Combs Stadium (Richmond, Ky.)
RECORDS: Western Michigan (1-2) | Bradley (2-1)   
W: Dylan Nevar (1-0) | L: John Day (1-1) | Save: Nolan Vlcek (1)
 
Trailing 14-11 heading into the ninth inning of game two, the Broncos loaded the bases for Justin McIntyre, who was hit by a pitch to begin the frame's scoring. A wild pitch got WMU within a run, and an intentional walk re-loaded the bases for Jimmy Allen, who drew a free pass to even the contest at 14-14.
 
Greg Budig followed with a walk of his own to put Western Michigan in front, before Sullivan stepped up and belted a grand slam, the first long ball of his collegiate career, to extend WMU's edge to 19-14. Bradley plated three in the bottom of the frame, but Nolan Vlcek fanned the final two batters to slam the door and earn the save in his first appearance as a Bronco.
 
Western Michigan got out to the early advantage in the series finale, plating five in the top of the first. Bradley got one back in the home half, but McIntyre answered with a run-scoring single in the second to make it 6-1 Broncos.
 
The Braves once again got a run back in the home half, but Brendan Harrity clobbered a three-run homer to right, the first home run of his collegiate career, to extend WMU's advantage to 9-2 in the top of the third.
 
The next 11 runs all went to Bradley, and the Braves took a 13-9 advantage into the eighth inning. WMU plated two in the eighth on a Gavin Doyle bases-loaded walk and a wild pitch, trimming the margin to 13-11. Bradley responded with a single tally in the home half to make it 14-11 and set the stage for Western Michigan's rally.
 
All nine starters picked up at least one hit, and all 10 players who came to the plate scored at least once for Western Michigan in the twin bill finale. Five different Broncos recorded multiple hits in game two, and Allen posted a team-high three for the day. Allen also drove in a career-high three and equaled his career-best with three runs scored in the finale. Connor Charping scored four times in the second game to tie his career high, while Harrity, McIntyre, Morrison and Sullivan scored two times apiece.
 
The top pitching performance of the day for the Broncos belonged to game one starter Dane Armbrustmacher. The southpaw limited Bradley to two runs on three hits over five innings and struck out a career-high 10 in a no-decision.  
 
In the opener, the Braves hit a pair of long balls to grab an early 2-0 advantage. Josh Swinehart got Western Michigan back within a run in the bottom of the second with a run-scoring single.
 
Bradley maintained its 2-1 lead until the bottom of the sixth, when McIntyre launched a solo home run to even the score at 2-2 heading into the final frame.
 
The Braves, however, answered with five tallies in the top of the seventh to pick up the victory.
 
Western Michigan continues non-conference play next weekend, Feb. 25-27, with a three-game series at Kentucky. Friday night's series opener between the Broncos and Wildcats is slated for 4 pm, and the game can be seen on SEC+.