PEORIA, Ill. ? Junior Jessie Musgrove went 5-for-7 with a double, two home runs and seven RBI, including a game-winning three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning, and sophomore Ashley Birdsong picked up both victories for the Braves as Bradley swept a Missouri Valley Conference doubleheader from Drake Saturday at Laura Bradley Park. The Braves won the opener 7-2 and rallied for three runs in bottom of the ninth inning of the nightcap to pull out a 7-5 victory.

Musgrove went 3-for-3 with a double, home runs, two RBI and two runs scored in the opener and followed that with a 2-for-4 effort with five RBI in the second game of the day to help the Braves to the pair of wins.

In the opener, Birdsong tossed a complete game, striking out six, while walking none. The Braves took an early 2-0 lead, scoring a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning when Musgrove belted a two-run homer to left field.

Drake (12-24 overall, 2-6 MVC) cut the lead in half with one run in the top of the third inning on a Susan Slycord RBI single. The Bulldogs added run in the top of the fourth inning to tie the game. Kristin Birocci and Jaci Faidley led off the inning with back-to-back singles and Birocci came around to score on wild pitch.

Bradley (18-10 overall, 3-4 MVC) retook the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. Musgrove led off the inning with a double and pinch runner Anne Creighton advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Alycia Bachkora and Christine Cooney were both hit by pitches to load the bases and junior Stephanie Ramsey drove in a pair of runs with a single up the middle. A Drake error with runners at second and third allowed Cooney to score to give the Braves a 5-2 lead.

The Braves added two insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth inning on an Amanda Clack two-run, two-out homer that pushed Bradley's lead to 7-2. Birdsong allowed a single in the sixth and retired the Bulldogs in order in the seventh to pick up the victory.

In the nightcap, Drake scored single runs in the second and third inning to take a 2-0 lead. Elena Leon drove in a run with a single in the second and Slycord knocked in a run with an RBI-groundout in the third.

Bradley plated three runs in the third inning and threatened to blow the game wide open. Senior Christine Cooney led off the inning with her first career home run. Ramsey was hit by a pitch and Miriam Wegmann followed with a single to left center. Trish Kowalewski loaded the bases with a walk and senior Elizabeth Wilson drove in a run with a single through the right side of the infield. Musgrove drove in the third run of the inning when she hit into a fielder's choice to give Bradley a 3-2 lead. Kristin Birocci pitched out a jam, getting Amanda Clack and Lauren Meister to both ground out to end the inning.

The Braves added a much needed insurance run in the fifth inning. Wegmann led off the frame with a bunt single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Musgrove ripped a single up the middle to score Wegmann and give BU a 4-2 lead.

Clack appeared to be in line for her third victory of the season before walking the leadoff hitter in the seventh inning. Birdsong entered the game and surrendered a game-tying two-run homer to Leon. Drake threatened to score again in the inning, but Lindsay Larry was thrown out at third base for the final out of the inning.

Drake pushed one run across in the ninth inning to take a 5-4 lead. Leon led off the inning with a walk and stole second. She advanced to third on a throwing error on the stolen base. Birdsong struck out the next batter, but gave up a double down the right field line to plate Leon with the go-ahead run.

Starting pitcher Cassie Heller reentered the game for Drake in the bottom of the ninth inning for the Bulldogs, attempting to close out the contest. Kowalewski drew a one-out walk and Wilson was hit by a pitch. Musgrove then ripped the first pitch she saw over the center field fence and give the Braves the 7-5 victory.

Clack pitched six solid innings in the no decision, striking out three and walking two, while giving up four hits in six innings of work. Birdsong picked up her 15th victory of the year, pitching three innings, while giving up three hits, two runs and two walks while improving to 15-5 on the season.

Bradley and Drake close out the three-game Missouri Valley Conference series Sunday with a single game at noon at Laura Bradley Park.