SPRINGFIELD, Mo. ? Missouri State pitcher Aaron Meade (4-1) tossed a complete-game, five-hitter and the Bears (11-10, 3-0 MVC) pounded out three home runs to complete the weekend sweep of Missouri Valley Conference rival Bradley (5-11, 0-3 MVC) with a 9-2 victory Sunday afternoon at Hammons Field.

Senior shortsop Tommy Fitzgerald hit a two-run home run and senior center fielder Nick Mitidiero was 2-for-4 with a double for the Braves, but Bradley never really threatened in the game.  The Bears built an 8-0 lead against Bradley starter Joe Bircher (0-2) and cruised to the sweep.  Missouri State outscored Bradley, 32-8, in the three-game series.

Bircher retired the first three Missouri State hitters in order, but catcher Dallas Hord hit a home run to lead off the bottom of the second inning.  Chris Playter followed with a single, stole second with one out and advanced to third on a wild pitch before scoring on Dan Torrente's single up the middle.

The Bears made it 4-0 in the third inning on Drake's two-run homer, the broke the game open with a four-run fifth inning.  After Missouri State loaded the bases with no outs, Playter and Zak Swyhart both delivered two-run singles before senior Bryan Porter relieved and got the final two outs of the inning.

Bradley got two runs back in the top of the sixth when second baseman Matt Fritz singled with one out and Fitzgerald followed with his third homer of the season.  The Bears completed the scoring in the bottom of the seventh when Tyler Ryun led off with his fourth dinger of the season.

Having played its first 16 games away from home, Bradley will start the home portion of its schedule Tuesday by hosting Northern Illinois in a 4 p.m. doubleheader at O'Brien Field.  The Braves also will host Wichita State in a three-game Valley series next weekend at O'Brien Field:  Friday at 4 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday afternoon at one o'clock.  Beginning with Tuesday's twinbill against the Huskies, Bradley is scheduled to play 22 of its next 34 games at home.