SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- For the second time in as many weeks, Bradley pitcher Collin Brennan has lost a pitcher's duel by a 3-1 score, this time falling at Missouri State Saturday in the second game of this weekend's frigid Missouri Valley Conference series at Hammons Field.

In last Saturday's 3-1 home loss against #10 Wichita State, Brennan allowed three runs in 8.0 strong innings, but the Braves were only able to scratch out four hits against three Shocker hurlers.  At Missouri State, Brennan fell to 1-3 on the season by allowing three runs in his 7.0 innings while his teammates provided only one run on five hits against Missouri State starter Scott Carroll (3-0).  Carroll walked just one and struck out eight en route to his complete-game victory.

Missouri State scored first when Ryan Mantle followed Nolan Keane's single with a triple down the right field line with one out in the first inning.  The Bears pushed the lead to 2-0 in odd fashion.  Matt Lawson opened the inning with a base hit, but Bradley catcher Ryan Eigsti threw him out trying to steal for the inning's first out.  The Bears came right back with consecutive singles by Brayde Drake and Dallas Hord.  Center fielder Justin Carr dropped a fly ball by Tann Mattson, however, allowing Drake to come home from second.  Brennan got out of the jam by inducing a double play ground ball from Ben Woodbury.

The Braves had several opportunities to score, but came up empty until the ninth.  In the second inning, Colby Luttrell and Ryan Eigsti strung together consecutive one-out singles, but Luttrell was thrown out at third on a poor sacrifice bunt by Carr and Jason Acevedo grounded out to end the inning.  With one out in the fourth, Curry singled and Luttrell reached on a Missouri State error, but Eigsti's line drive center field turned into a double play when Woodbury made a diving catch, then threw to second to force out Curry, who was running on the play.  John Lequia grounded into a double play to end the fifth and Carr lined into another double play with runners at first and third to end the seventh.

Missouri State pushed across an insurance run in the seventh after Woodbury followed Mattson's one-out wak with a single to center field.  Brennan fanned Keane for the second out, but Mangle brought home Mattson from second with a single up the middle.

Down 3-0 entering the ninth inning, Bradley's attempt at a rally came up short.  Third baseman Paul Rice opened the inning with a single to left field.  After Dan Brewer became Carroll's eighth strikeout victim, Rice advanced to second on a wild pitch.  Curry followed with a fly ball to centerfield that was dropped by Woodbury, putting runners at first and third with one out.  Luttrell brought home Rice with a sacrifice fly, but Eigsti grounded out to end the game.

The teams will close out their three-game Missouri Valley Conference series with a 1 p.m. game Sunday at Hammons Field.  After last Sunday's starter, Chris Wright, threw the ninth inning Saturday, freshman Brad Altbach (4-2) is expected to get the start for the Braves Sunday.