CONWAY, AR – Junior shortstop Luke Shadid was 3-for-5, sophomore designated hitter Eli Rawlinson had a pair of run-scoring extra-base hits and senior reliever Cole Cook struck out nine in 5.0 scoreless innings of relief, leading Bradley (1-0) to a 5-2 win at Central Arkansas (0-1) in the opening game of the 2019 college baseball season Friday afternoon at Bear Stadium.
Friday's result was Bradley's first season-opening win since 2015 and marked the first time the Braves won a true road game to start a season since 2014, when they ended up sweeping a 3-game series at Alcorn State.