RICHMOND, Ky. ? Eastern Kentucky got a solid pitching effort from starter Christian Friedrich and took advantage of five Bradley errors on their way to a 13-1 victory over the Braves, Saturday, at Turkey Hughes Field in Richmond, Ky.

Friedrich allowed just two hits and struck out nine over six innings in the start, but it was the EKU offense that did most of the heavy lifting for the Colonels (3-0-1). The hosts scored in four of the first five innings, including a seven-run fifth to take a 10-0 lead, to put away the Braves (2-2).

Leading 3-0 after three innings, the Colonels plated three more runs in the fourth for a 6-0 lead. Aaron Barrows contributed an RBI single in the frame, followed by a two-run double from shortstop Tyler Barnett.

Most of the EKU damage was done in the fifth inning when the Colonels sent 11 batters to the plate, scoring seven runs in the inning. The Colonels collected six hits in the frame, highlighted by an RBI double from Ryan Faidley and a three-run home run from Barrows. The Braves made two errors in the inning, allowing only one of the EKU runs to be unearned.

The Braves avoided the shutout with an unearned run in the top of the seventh. Junior Jim Clayton (Chatham, Ill./Glenwood H.S./Southeast Missouri State) led off the inning with a pinch hit single to right field and moved to second base on an error by Faidley. Clayton moved to third on a groundout from junior Colby Lutrell (Kincaid, Ill./South Fork H.S.) and scored on a pinch hit sacrifice fly from freshman Rob Elliot (Naperville, Ill./Nequa Valley H.S.) for the only Bradley run.

Sophomore pitcher Brad Altbach (Northbrook, Ill/Glenbrook North H.S.) started and took the loss for the Braves. He allowed 12 runs on nine hits over 4.1 innings before being replaced by junior Bryan Porter (Rolling Meadows, Ill./Rolling Meadows H.S.). Senior Spencer Hahn (Findlay, Ohio/Findlay H.S./Michigan State) closed the game out for the Braves on the mound, tossing two scoreless innings.

The BU offense recorded only three hits, as juniors Dan Brewer (Brookfield, Ill./Lyons Township H.S.) and Kori Jensen (Wichita, Kan./Goddard H.S./Hutchinson County C.C.) each reached base safely.

Eastern Kentucky will play host to the Braves again Sunday, March 2, with a doubleheader beginning at 10 a.m. in Richmond. Each game is scheduled for seven innings.