Box Score

The Dallas Baptist Baseball Team opened their Missouri Valley Conference schedule with a convincing 17-6 (10 run-rule) win in eight innings at Bradley University on Friday night in Peoria, Illinois.  In their second consecutive double-digit offensive performance, the Patriots scored at least two runs in all but two innings and got another strong outing from Paul Voelker, who worked five innings and allowed one earned run for his fourth win of the season.

Drew Turbin, who moved into the team's lead-off role last week, led a Patriot offense that saw the lead-off man get on base in all but one inning.  On the night, Turbin went 2-for-4 and drove in a season-high four runs. 

DBU (18-7, 1-0) wasted no time getting on the board in the first inning.  After Bradley starter, David Koll, walked the bases loaded and hit Austin Listi to plate the first run, the Braves starter was lifted for John Nasshan.  Following a double-play ball, Justin Wall ripped a two-out RBI single up the middle to score David Martinelli and Listi, giving the Patriots a 3-0 lead.

Bradley (15-6, 1-3) scratched a run across in the first and two in the second to tie the game at three apiece. 

In the top of the third, Trevin Sonnier was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.  It would be one of eight Patriots on the night to get hit by a pitch, falling just two batters shy of tying an NCAA record for most batters hit in a game.  Turbin followed with a two-run single to put DBU up 6-3.

The Patriots would never relinquish the lead the rest of the way.  In the fourth, DBU tacked on two more runs and then added a five spot in the sixth, highlighted by a Turbin two-run double to left.  The Patriots would add another pair of runs in the seventh and then an RBI double by KJ Alexander in the eighth capped off the club's 17th run of the night. 

Leading 17-6 in the eighth, Trevor Conn closed out Bradley by retiring the side in order.  With the 10 run rule in effect for all Missouri Valley Conference games, DBU finished off the Braves in eight innings.  On the night, DBU drew 11 walks and used timely hitting that produced 10 two-out RBI's.  "That was a big plus for us tonight," DBU Head Coach, Dan Heefner, said following the game.  "Guys are trusting their approach at the plate and it was good to see us come through in a number of two-out situations tonight."

The win runs DBU's record to 18-7, making it the best start through the first 25 games since the Patriots joined the NCAA Division I ranks in 2004.  The club's record is also the best overall start in program history since the club started 19-6 in 2001.

DBU returns to the diamond tomorrow in a 2 pm start against Bradley in game two of the series.  Fans can catch all the action on the Patriot Broadcasting Network (www.dbupatriots.com/showcase) beginning tomorrow at 1:30 pm.