ST. LOUIS (Interstat) — The Saint Louis Billikens overcame an early four-run deficit and a late rally by the Bradley Braves to secure a 9-7 victory in a back-and-forth nonconference baseball game Saturday at Billiken Sports Center.

The win evened the weekend series after Saint Louis took the opener 2-1 on Friday. The Billikens improved to 6-9 overall, while Bradley fell to 4-9.

The game’s pivotal sequence came in the bottom of the eighth inning, breaking a tense deadlock. With the score tied 7-7, Saint Louis’ Justin Canzoni led off with a walk against Bradley reliever Davis Webb. Canzoni then stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Ryan Iffrig followed by lacing a single up the middle, driving in Canzoni for the go-ahead run. After a walk, Bradley turned to Diego Menjivar out of the bullpen, who escaped further damage with a strikeout and a flyout, but the damage was done.

Saint Louis added a critical insurance run later in the inning on a fielder’s choice, providing a two-run cushion that proved decisive.

Bradley had clawed back to tie the game in the top of the sixth. Michael Quic walked and scored on an RBI double by Hayden Mille, who then came home on a wild pitch to knot the score at 7-7.

The Braves then threatened in the ninth against Saint Louis closer Drew Welk. Landon Lowe walked and, with one out, Anthony Martinez launched a two-run homer to left field, pulling Bradley within 9-7. Welk, however, induced a fielder’s choice and a lineout to shortstop to end the game and earn the save.

The contest began with Bradley seizing control early. Jack Holubowski provided the initial offense with a two-run homer in the second inning off Saint Louis starter Ty Holman, scoring Colin McCormick for a 2-0 lead.

Saint Louis responded immediately and forcefully in the bottom of the frame, capitalizing on Bradley defensive miscues. The Billikens sent nine batters to the plate, scoring five runs—only two of which were earned—on three hits, two walks and two Bradley errors. Mark McGwire and Michael Arnold each delivered run-scoring singles in the inning.

Chase Beattie extended the Saint Louis lead in the third with a solo home run to make it 6-2. The Billikens added another run in the fourth on an RBI triple by Hayden Gomric.

Bradley chipped away, scoring once in the third on a Landon Lowe groundout and twice in the sixth to set the stage for the late drama.

Webb took the loss for Bradley despite a strong long-relief effort. After entering in the third inning, he allowed two runs on four hits over 4 1/3 innings, striking out three. Holman started for Saint Louis, yielding three runs on four hits with seven strikeouts over four innings. Liam McKinney earned the win in relief, allowing two runs over three innings.

The Billikens’ Andrew Kleinheider drove in two runs, including the tie-breaking run in the fifth inning. Bradley out-hit Saint Louis 10-9 but committed four errors leading to four unearned runs.

The victory defied the pregame projection from Interstat, whose game simulator had predicted a 5-4 Bradley win, though its ELO system gave Saint Louis a 62.8% probability to win.

The teams conclude their three-game series Sunday afternoon.