PEORIA, Ill. ? Bradley ?s offense got untracked Sunday as the Braves (20-16, 4-8) scored early and often, using 15 hits to take a 14-4, 8-inning Missouri Valley Conference baseball victory against visiting Southern Illinois (24-15, 5-7) Sunday afternoon at O'Brien Field.  Bradley earned its first Valley series win of the season, taking 2-of-3 from the Salukis.

All nine Bradley starters got at least one hit and Bradley's 10th offensive player, pinch-hitter Curtis Hornaday, drew a bases loaded walk during the 4-run rally in the eighth to invoke the league's 10-run rule after seven innings.

Senior second baseman Ryan Curry got the ball rolling early for the Braves, lofting a 3-run home run to left field to spot the Braves the quick 3-0 lead.  Curry finished the game 2-for-3 with a walk, four runs scored and the three runs batted in.  Senior center fielder Brad Jones went 2-for-4 and doubled his previous career best with four runs batted in.  The Braves also got multiple hits from shortstop Dan Brewer (2-for-5), Mike McMillan (2-for-5), Peter Malinowski (2-for-4) and Colby Luttrell (2-for-3).

In addition to his offensive work, which included the game-ending, bases loaded single, Luttrell delivered the defensive play of the game.  Bradley pushed its lead to 5-0 with single runs in the second and fourth innings before the Salukis rallied with four runs in the top of the fifth.  After the Braves tacked on another run in the bottom of the fifth, the Salukis were primed to rally again against Bradley reliever, freshman right-hander Brad Altbach.

Scott Elmendorf greeted Altbach with a single to right field to open the sixth and Tyler Choate followed with another single to right, putting runners at first and third with no outs.  Tyler Lairson tried his luck in right field with a line drive, but Luttrell caught the ball moving to his left and fired home to nail Elmendorf.  The play was Luttrell's third double play of the series and marked the second time he threw out a runner at the plate.  Altbach struck out Bret Maugeri to end the sixth and the Salukis got only an infield single the remainder of the game.

Bradley starter Chris Wright tossed the first five innings for the Braves and improved to 3-1 this season.  Wright worked around seven hits and two walks.  By keeping the Salukis off the board for the final three innings, Altbach earned his first career save.

After winning five of six games during its longest home stand of the season, Bradley will visit Western Illinois for a 3:30 game Wednesday, then will return to O'Brien Field for four more games.  The Braves will host Illinois State in a 3-game Valley series next weekend, followed by a single game May 1 against Robert Morris (Ill.).  The Illinois State series will begin with a 6 p.m. game Friday at O'Brien Field.