PEORIA, Ill. ? Southern Illinois-Edwardsville shortstop Mike Hurt hit a 2-run homerun in the first inning and Mitchell Fairley (3-2) allowed only three hits in seven shutout innings, leading the visiting Cougars (10-29) to a 2-1 non-conference baseball victory against Bradley (14-25) Wednesday night at O'Brien Field.

Bradley starter Jacob Booden (1-2) gave up three straight hits to start the game, including Hurt's second homer of the season, but settled down and did not allow another run in his seven innings.  Tyler Thornton (eighth) and Bryan Porter (ninth) both pitched perfect innings to keep the Cougars at two runs, but the Braves were unable to rally.

Bradley hitters were guilty of 16 flyouts, including two lazy flyballs with the bases loaded by Matt Fritz and Nick MItidiero to end the game.  In between, shortstop Tommy Fitzgerald, who scratched out two of the three hits against Fairley, drew a bases loaded walk to help the Braves avoid their second shutout in three games.

Bradley will close out the season by playing nine consecutive Missouri Valley Conference games, beginning with a three-game weekend series versus Southern Illinois at O'Brien Field.  Friday night's series opener is scheduled for six o'clock.