Bradenton, Fla. ? Three Bradley errors plus 12 Eastern Illinois hits equaled trouble as the Braves fell, 6-2, for the first time on their Spring Break trip at the IMG Sports Academy in Bradenton, Fla. 

Bradley sophomore starter Eitan Barbalat (Thornhill, Ontario/Westmount Collegiate Institute) went four innings, allowing just two runs on three hits before being relieved by  freshman Tyler Thornton (Minier, Ill./Olympia).  Thornton struck out six Panthers, but allowed what turned out to be the winning tally in the fifth after allowing a leadoff double to the No. 9 hitter, Jordan Kreke.

Eastern Illinois pounded out 12 hits to compliment starter Chris Vaculik. The Braves managed eight hits of the EIU starter, but Vaculik kept the Bradley attack at bay by inducing 14 groundball outs and stranding six on the bases.

Centerfielder Brock Luxmore (New Windsor, Ill./Sherrad), catcher Ryan Eigsti (Eureka, Ill./Eureka) and first baseman Jason Newburger (Vernon Hills, Ill./Vernon Hills) each had a pair of hits and combined for six of the nine total Bradley hits. 

Newburger pushes his modest hitting streak to four games along with junior Ryan Curry (Downers Grove, Ill./South), whose 1-for-4 extends his streak for four games as well.

The Braves fall to 6-7 overall on the season and get a chance to draw even when they take on Fairfield at the IMG Sports Academy on Friday at 2:00 p.m.