PEORIA, Ill. -- A four-run inning by Indiana State proved to be enough as the Sycamores held on a for a 4-3 victory against Bradley Sunday in the three-game series finale at Laura Bradley Park. The Braves scratched out single runs in third, fourth and fifth innings but couldn't push across the tying run as Indiana State won the series 2-1.

Indiana State's Darcy Wood was given a 4-0 lead when the Sycamores (8-14 overall, 3-7 MVC) scored four times in the top of the third inning. Julie Damico drew a walk to start the inning and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Ashley Trover singled to put runners and first and third and Lacey Frankland smacked a double off the left field fence to score Damico.

Bradley (9-14 overall, 1-7 MVC) starter Molly Bergeson gave way to junior Brittany Dehler, who was making her third appearance in the series. Stephanie Spychaj reached base on a Bradley error that allowed Trover to score from third. Jessica McGivney doubled to center to plate Frankland and Spychaj later scored on a fielder's choice to give the Sycamores a 4-0 lead.

The Braves got on the scoreboard in the bottom half of the third inning. Bethany Till drew a one-out walk and Bergeson singled down the left field line. Freshman Trisha Kowalewski had an infield single that scored Till to cut the Indiana State lead to 4-1.

Bradley added another run in the bottom of the fourth when junior Joanna Pettit led off the inning with a home run to left center. Pettit tied Kowalewski for the team lead with four home runs and is now tied for seventh in school history with eight career dingers.

The Braves threatened to tie the game in the bottom of the fifth inning. Till led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Kowalewski singled to center to move Till to third and senior Brittany Mynsberge was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Pettit drove in her team-leading 18th RBI of the season with a single down the left field line that scored Till from third base. Pinch runner Christine Cooney was gunned down at the plate by Melissa Biniewicz as Wood and the Sycamores managed to escape the inning with a one-run lead at 4-3.

Till led off the bottom of the seventh inning with a single up the middle and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Wood and Indiana State recorded the final two outs to preserve the victory for the Sycamores.

Dehler pitched four two-third innings in relief for the Braves. She struck out three and walked one while giving up two hits and on unearned run. Wood earned the victory for Indiana State, striking out six and walking three in the complete game.

The Braves continue their longest homestand of the season Tuesday against Illinois-Chicago. Bradley and Flames will play a 3 p.m. doubleheader at Laura Bradley Park.