DeKALB, Ill. ? Spotty defense proved costly in both games of Tuesday's non-conference baseball doubleheader at Northern Illinois as the host Huskies (9-13) swept the both scheduled 7-inning games against Bradley (9-11), 3-2 in eight innings and 5-3.

Senior left-handed reliever Peter Elmer (1-2) had a rough day, surrendering an inherited runner to end the first game, then allowing a pair of runs in the night cap to suffer the loss. 

Freshman Rob Scahill (1-3) took the loss in the opener, despite seven strong innings.  Scahill scattered eight hits and struck out six, but gave way to Elmer after giving up a leadoff double in the eighth.  Backup catcher Justin Behm ended the extra-inning game three batters later with a sacrifice fly.

Junior centerfielder Brad Jones, who went 3-for-7 with a double in the twinbill and extended his hitting streak to six games, went 2-for-3 from his leadoff spot in the opener.  Junior shortstop Ryan Curry drove in both Bradley runs with a first-inning sacrifice fly and a sixth-inning double.  Curry's third two-bagger of the year forged a 2-2 tie with two outs, but he was stranded in scoring position when Paul Rice grounded out to short.

Rice helped put Bradley ahead in the second game, however, when he led off the fourth inning with a single up the middle.  Freshman second baseman Dan Brewer put runners at first and second with a one-out single of his own.  Sophomore catcher Ryan Eigsti plated Rice with a single and first baseman Jason Newburger followed with a ground ball to bring home Brewer and push the Braves ahead, 2-1.

The Huskies tagged Bradley's second-game starter, freshman Tyler Thorton, for a pair of unearned runs in the fifth to reclaim the lead, 3-2, then tacked on the game's deciding runs in the sixth against Elmer.  Centerfielder Pat Minogue was the hero, driving home both runs with a one-out single to right field.

The Braves, who took 2-of-3 games from redhot Creighton in shutout fashion this past weekend at O'Brien Field, will return to Missouri Valley Conference action Friday by starting a 3-game series at Southern Illinois.  The Salukis had an equally impressive opening weekend to league play, taking 2-of-3 from host Wichita State.