MACOMB, Ill. (Interstat) — Liam Bushey’s eighth-inning grand slam capped a late offensive explosion Tuesday afternoon as the Western Illinois Leathernecks rallied to defeat the Bradley Braves 12-7 in nonconference baseball at Alfred D. Boyer Stadium.

The game’s decisive turn came in the bottom of the eighth. Holding a fragile 8-7 lead, the Leathernecks loaded the bases against two Bradley relievers on singles by Luke Bohonek and Josh McClintock and a bunt single by Joe Connolly. Bushey then stepped in against Jack Horras and launched a towering drive to right field, clearing the bases and breaking the game open with a four-run homer.

Bushey, who had driven in a run with a sacrifice fly in the seventh, finished 1 for 4 with five RBIs. His grand slam was the most important play in a game defined by Western Illinois’s ability to capitalize with runners on base.

The Leathernecks, who improved to 5-17, amassed 14 hits. Connolly led the charge, going 4 for 5 with a two-run homer in the second inning and scoring three runs. Designated hitter Cordell Coburn drove in five runs, including three on a crucial seventh-inning double that gave Western Illinois its first lead at 8-7.

Bradley, which fell to 5-19, built an early advantage against an unusual pitching strategy by the Leathernecks. Western Illinois starter Eli Lehrman, typically a reliever, opened the game but was pulled after recording just two outs while allowing four earned runs. The Braves scored seven runs on just seven hits, with Anthony Martinez hitting a solo homer in the third and Landon Lowe adding an RBI double in the fourth.

Michael Quick paced the Bradley offense, going 2 for 4 with an RBI, two stolen bases and a run scored on a double steal in the sixth inning.

The Leathernecks’ bullpen combination of Anthony Steinhoff, Jason Buhl, JT Fabian and Harrison Dubois proved critical after the early exit. Over 5 2/3 innings of relief, the quartet allowed just one unearned run on three hits while striking out nine. Dubois earned the win with two innings of one-hit relief, striking out five.

Bradley starter Jackson Rodgers took the loss, surrendering eight runs on nine hits over 6 1/3 innings.

The victory gave Western Illinois a season series split after Bradley won the first meeting. The teams are scheduled to meet again on April 15 in Peoria.

Interstat’s ELO system had projected Bradley with a 60.80 percent probability to win.

Bradley opens a three-game home series against Murray State on Friday. Western Illinois will host Southeast Missouri State for a three-game set starting the same day.