PEKIN, Ill. ? Bradley scored five runs in the first inning and pushed two unearned runs across in the fifth, while sophomore Ashley Birdsong tossed three and two-thirds innings of scoreless relief to help the Bradley softball team pick up its second straight win to open the 2007 campaign Saturday with a 7-4 victory against Western Illinois at the Schutt Invitational at the Dragon's Dome in Pekin, Ill.

Western Illinois roughed up Bradley starter Rebecca Bishop for four earned runs in three and one-third innings, but the Braves five-run first inning and Birdsong's three and two-third innings scoreless relief helped the Braves improve to 2-0 for the second consecutive year.

The Westerwinds (0-1 overall) jumped ahead early behind a solo homer off the bat of Amy Douglas in the top of the first inning.

Bradley (2-0 overall) countered with five runs in the bottom half of the frame.  A pair of walks and a single was followed by a Jessie Musgrove single that scored two runs.  Senior Elizabeth Wilson drove in another two runs with a bases loaded single that scored Musgrove and sophomore Alycia Bachkora to give the Braves a 4-1 lead.  With runners at first and third, the Braves scored their final run of the inning on a botched double steal, as freshman Lauren Meister managed to steal home.

Western Illinois threatened to take the lead in the top of the fourth inning, pushing three runs across before leaving the bases loaded.  Samantha Valentine belted a two-run homer and Lauren Furgala ripped a one-out single that scored a run to cut the Braves lead to 5-4. 

Birdsong entered the game with runners at second and third and one out, before ending the Westerwinds chances.  A strikeout and walk to load the bases was followed by a two-out pop up to Wilson to end the threat.

Bradley added a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth inning when a Western Illinois throwing error with two outs and runners at second and third allowed Bachkora and pinch runner Anne Creighton to score.

Birdsong allowed just two singles in her final three innings of work, picking up her eighth consecutive victory.  Birdsong (2-0) gave up two hits and one walk, while striking out six in three and two-third innings of work.

Kamren Ferguson suffered the loss for Western Illinois, giving up seven runs (five earned), while striking out five and walking three.

In the final game of the night at the Shutt Invitational Drake posted a 4-2 victory over Western Illinois.

The Schutt Invitational concludes Sunday with Bradley facing Wisconsin-Green Bay at 10 a.m. to open the final day.  Wisconsin-Green Bay will play Western Illinois at noon and the Braves will square off against Drake at 2 p.m. before play concludes at 4 p.m. with Western Illinois taking on Drake at the Dragon's Dome.