With the hour-long break, I decided it was a good time to take a stroll around the park. Springfield's got a great facility, and there's really not a bad seat in this 7,500 seat ballpark. What's really neat is the grassy knolls built out along the left field line, and then back behind left field and both power alleys. With the weather being as nice as it is, those are perfect places to watch today's game.

Too bad the MVC is not a power-hitting conference, because this field is definitely made for hitters. It is only 315' to the left field pole, 360' to the left center power alley, 400' to center, 375' to the right center power alley, and 330' to the right field pole. With the wind blowing out today, a good power-hitting team could jack several balls out of here this afternoon.

It is getting hot outside, so Wichita State and Missouri State have a big advantage playing at night. It's about 80 outside and very humid. I think I speak for everyone in the press box when I say that water is our best friend right now!

Ok, let's get to the matchup ahead of us.

Bradley comes in as the #3 seed thanks to tie-breaker advantages over Evansville and Southern Illinois. The Braves are currently 30-19 on the year overall, a nice comeback from their 3-7 start this season. Dewey Kalmer, who earned his 1,000th career win this season, will send Michael Christl to the mound. Christl is a RHP who is just 5-6 on the season with a 5.31 ERA, but he pitched a three hit complete game against the Aces this season.

Evansville comes in with a 34-21 mark, and still have NCAA Tournament aspirations, so they should be pumped up for this first round game. The Purple Aces will bring their ace, Kai Tumoi, to the mound. Tuomi is a southpaw with a 10-2 record and a slim 2.12 ERA for the season.

We've got another small crowd on hand, but this one is a little bit noisier than earlier today. The paid attendance for Creighton-SIU was 1,051, but I'm guessing about 200 actually were in attendance.

The lineups are being announced, and we're just about set to go. It's Bradley and Evansville here in Springfield!