Peoria, Ill – The Bradley Braves are gearing up for their 2026 season with a road game against the Indiana Hoosiers. The Braves hope to gain momentum after finishing their first weekend at 1-2. Meanwhile, Indiana is still searching for their first win, currently sitting at 0-3 after facing the University of North Carolina.
So, how are the teams performing?
Bradley Braves Overview
As a team, Bradley has a batting average of .212. They’ve racked up 21 hits and scored 14 runs. Notably, their patience at the plate shines through with 18 walks, and they’ve been busy on the bases, completing 7 out of 9 stolen base attempts.
Ashton Horchem is leading the pack with an impressive .429 batting average and a .600 on-base percentage. Peyton Nelson is holding steady with a .333 average and flawless defense. Anthony Martinez has added some power with a home run and a .583 slugging percentage. Hayden Miller joins him, also contributing a home run and three stolen bases.
On the pitching side, Robert Sanford, Davis Webb, and Tristan Duke have turned in scoreless outings, bolstering the bullpen. Bradley has 21 strikeouts while keeping opponents to a .287 batting average. Defensively, they’ve executed nine double plays and maintain a solid .955 fielding percentage, emphasizing the fundamentals that coach Justin Dedman is focused on.
Indiana Hoosiers Overview
Indiana’s offense has struggled significantly, hitting just .154 across their first three games, totaling 14 hits and nine runs. While they’ve earned 17 walks, they’ve also struck out 32 times.
Will Moore and Jake Hanley lead the Hoosiers with three hits each, while Hogan Denny and Ayden Crouse are both batting .250. The team’s on-base percentage sits at .306, showing they can work counts despite their low batting average.
On the mound, Indiana has an alarming 8.14 team ERA over 24.1 innings. While pitchers Tony Neubeck and Gavin Seebold have had scoreless outings, the team has allowed 25 runs and given up 19 walks. With a .949 fielding percentage, they need to tighten up defensively.
Matchup Outlook
Both teams are in search of consistency as the season kicks off. Bradley seems to have a straightforward plan: they need to keep attacking the strike zone, minimize walks, and make the most of their experienced pitchers. Offensively, they must harness their aggression on the bases and deliver timely power at the plate.
Indiana has shown potential with some disciplined plate approaches but needs to string together better offensive plays. If Bradley can maintain control on the mound and execute strong defensive plays, they have the chance to take this matchup.
As the season evolves under Coach Dedman, every game becomes an opportunity. It’s about building resilience, teamwork, and a competitive spirit that will carry into conference play.
In recent trends, teams that start strong often carry that momentum throughout the season. According to recent NCAA statistics, teams that secure early wins tend to perform better in their overall ranking by the end of the season. This emphasizes the importance for both Bradley and Indiana to capitalize on early opportunities.
Let’s see how this matchup unfolds and how these teams shape their identities for the rest of the season.
