Bradley opened Missouri Valley Conference play over the weekend, taking two out of three against Wichita State for the first time since the conference switched to its current three-game series format in 2001. The 2-1 start in league play is the best start in the conference since 2001. The Braves are now 8-4 on the season.

After playing just 12 games in 31 days to start the season, Bradley will play seven times in the next six days for their busiest stretch of the season thus far. The Braves will make visits to Big 12 members Kansas and Missouri for weekday doubleheaders, followed by a three-game set to open the home schedule against Creighton starting with Friday's doubleheader.

The doubleheader against Kansas comes just 16 days after the Jayhawks defeated the Braves 10-2 in five innings at the Coach B Classic in Carbondale. The Braves are 1-3 all-time against Kansas. The Braves visit Missouri for a pair of games Wednesday. The Tigers own a 3-1 series lead against the Braves.

Preseason MVC favorite Creighton will visit Peoria Friday for the start of a three-game MVC series. The Bluejays lead the all-time series with the Braves, 28-12, winning two of three against the Braves last season in Omaha.

Playing the first 12 games away from home this season, the Braves are off to an 8-4 start. That's the best 12-game start in road games since the 1995 Braves began the year on a 10-1-1 tear on their way to a 35-20-1 mark.

Friday's home opener will come after 16 consecutive games away from Laura Bradley Park.

Three Bradley freshmen made significant contributions to Saturday's 7-5 win over Wichita State. Denise Jilka hit her first career home run during the first inning, a three-run shot that gave BU a 6-0 lead. Lauren Kelly collected her first career extra base hit and RBI on a double that gave the Braves insurance later in the game. Katie Dennis came on in relief to get out of a fourth inning jam on her way to picking up her first career victory in the circle. The fourth Bradley freshman, Jess Boeger, continues to rank among the league leaders in batting average at .400 (14-for-35).

BU Milestone Update

With Sunday's victory against Wichita State, junior pitcher Ashley Birdsong moved into a third place tie with Glenda Nelson on the all-time Bradley wins list with 42.

Sophomore Amanda Clack had a big weekend for the Braves, hitting .444 (4-for-9) with a home run, double, and three RBI during a weekend series at Wichita State. Clack bumped her season batting average to .378 with the big weekend. She also scored four runs, including the game-winner in the eighth inning of Sunday's victory.

Junior Ashley Birdsong had a hand in each of the BU victories over the weekend, recording a save Saturday and a victory Sunday against Wichita State. She struck out 18 batters in 16.1 innings on her way to posting an ERA of 3.43. Sunday's victory was number 42 of her career, moving her into a third place tie on Bradley's all-time list.