PEORIA, Ill. -- SIU Edwardsville scored two runs in the first inning and added single runs in the second and third to build a 4-0 lead, while SIUE's Erika Taylor limited Bradley to just four hits as the Cougars posted a 4-1 victory against the Braves Tuesday afternoon at Laura Bradley Park. Bradley fell to 15-16 on the season with the loss.

SIUE (29-7 overall) jumped out to an early 2-0 lead after Courtney Mall and Kasey Schlafke opened the game with back-to-back singles. The duo advanced to second and third following a sacrifice bunt and Mall scored from third on a single off the bat of Nichole Beecher. The Cougars added another run on a two-out single by Lindsay Longfellow to give SIUE a 2-0 advantage.

SIU Edwardsville added an insurance run in the second inning when Amanda Pucel led off the frame with a solo homer to left field. The Cougars pushed the lead to 4-0 on a Schlafke solo homer to lead off the top of the third inning.

Junior Amanda Clack (Hillsboro, Mo./Hillsboro) collected Bradley's first hit of the game off Taylor with a two-out double off the fence in left center field in the bottom of the fourth inning. Sophomore Lauren Kelly (Lawrence, Kan./Lawrence) was hit by a pitch to put runners at first and second but the Braves were unable to push a run across.

Bradley threatened again in the bottom of the fifth inning after freshman Julie Sherman (Hickory Hills, Ill./Stagg) ripped a two-out single down the left field line. Sophomore Lauren Meister (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South) drew a walk and the runners moved to second and third on a passed ball. Taylor got out of the jam unscathed; however, as she retired the next batter she faced to keep the Braves off the scoreboard.

Junior Jacqueline Vitale (Indian Head Park, Ill./Lyons Township) scored Bradley's first run of the game with a lead off homer to open the bottom of the sixth inning to cut SIUE's lead to 4-1. Clack followed with another double off the wall in center field and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt, but Taylor struck out the next two batters to leave Clack stranded at third. Taylor retired the Braves in order in the seventh as she improved to 14-4 on the season with the win.

Sophomore Katie Dennis (Gilbert, Ariz./Mesquite) suffered the loss for the Braves as she fell to 3-6 on the year. Clack, who extended her hit streak to seven consecutive games, went 2-for-3 at the plate and pitched six innings of relief. She struck out five and walked one, while surrendering two hits and one run.

Bradley returns to action Thursday when the Braves open a four-game road swing with a 7 p.m. game at Illinois.