PEORIA, Ill. -- Freshman Ashley Birdsong stuck out nine Illinois State batters and pitched a complete game shutout in Bradley's series finale against I-74 rival Illinois State Sunday, as the Braves blanked the Redbirds 2-0 at Laura Bradley Park. Bradley evened its record at 11-11 overall and improved to 2-3 in Missouri Valley Conference play with the win.

Birdsong fanned nine batters and gave up six hits and three walks in the complete game victory. She improved to 5-4 on the year, while tossing her team-leading seventh complete game of the season.

Illinois State (16-8 overall, 5-1 MVC) left runners on base in every inning but the sixth, stranding a total of seven runners in scoring position.

Bradley managed just four hits on the afternoon and scored what proved to be the game-winning run without the benefit of a hit in the third inning. Senior Kimberly Dobill drew a lead off walk and pinch runner Anne Creighton moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt. Creighton came around to score when Illinois State pitcher Stacy Birk fielded a sacrifice bunt and threw the ball away attempting to throw Molly Bergeson out at first base, allowing Creighton to score from second base. Birk retired the next two batters to avoid any further damage in the inning.

Senior Joanna Pettit belted a two-out solo homer in the bottom of the sixth inning to provide an insurance run for the Birdsong and the Braves, giving Bradley a 2-0 lead. Pettit's homer capped off a solid weekend as she finished the series with a .667 batting average (6-for-9), two runs scored and a 1.111 slugging percentage.

Birk suffered the loss for Illinois State, dropping to 8-3 on the season. She struck out seven and walked one, while allowing two runs (one unearned).

The Braves return to action Wednesday when Bradley faces Loyola-Chicago in a 4:30 p.m. doubleheader in Chicago.