CHAMPAIGN, Ill. ? Local hero Brandon Wikoff punished his hometown team by hitting for the cycle in a 4-for-5 performance with four runs batted in, helping Illinois (19-7) end Bradley's series-long five-game winning streak against the Illini, 11-9, Tuesday night at Illinois Field.  Illinois had not defeated the Braves (9-16) since April 6, 1999.

The Braves took advantage of an Illinois error to start the game to score the first run.  Second baseman Matt Fritz led off with a ground ball to short, but was safe when Illini first baseman Matt Dittman dropped the throw.  Fritz immediately stole second, his ninth consecutive successful steal attempt and team-leading 14th stolen base of the season, then took third on a Tommy Fitzgerald ground out and scored on a wild pitch by Illinois starting pitcher Phil Haig.

Illinois quickly got the run back in the bottom of the first against Bradley freshman Jacob Booden.  Second baseman Joe Bonadonna led off with a single, stole second, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on Casey McMurray's double to right centerfield.  McMurray's hit actually was a line drive through the box that caromed off Booden's head, forcing the freshman right-hander to leave the game.  Senior hurler Tyler Thornton relieved and got out of the jam without any more damage.

Bradley reclaimed the lead in the top of the second against the second Illinois pitcher, Corey Kimes, who relieved Haig to start the inning.  First baseman Adam Kimble started the second with a leadoff single, but after right fielder Colby Luttrell hit into a fielder's choice, catcher Brett Hendricks drew a walk to put Luttrell in scoring position.  Designated hitter Kevin Sullivan delivered an RBI single to right field for a 2-1 Bradley lead.

While Thornton escaped another jam in the bottom of the second, Illinois appeared to take control by breaking out for five runs in the third and tacking on another run in the fourth for a 7-2 lead.  Wikoff started the third-inning rally with a leadoff single and greeted Bradley's third pitcher, freshman Brandon Stevens (1-2), with a leadoff homer in the fourth.

Bradley came back with a five-spot of their own in the top of the fifth to pull even, 7-7.  Freshman third baseman Tim Scanlan started the rally by drawing a one-out walk against the third Illini pitcher, Lee Zerrusen, and Fritz followed with a bunt single, the first of four straight Bradley hits.  Fitzgerald started the scoring with an RBI double, centerfielder Nick Mitidiero followed with an RBI infield single and left fielder Grant Escue added the fourth consecutive hit with a run-scoring single to right field.  After Kimble popped out, Luttrell knotted the score at 7-7 with a 2-run double to left center.

Wiloff again was in the middle of the action as Illinois jumped in front for good by scoring two in the bottom of the fifth.  Centerfielder Willie Argo started the uprising with a one-out single and stolen base.  Joe Bonadonna drew a walk and both runners advanced on a Stevens balk.  After McMurray popped out, Wikoff delivered the go-ahead blow with a 2-run double.

The Braves had a chance to retaliate in the seventh, thanks to a Fitzgerald leadoff single and Kimble two-out walk, but Luttrell grounded out to end the threat.  Wikoff completed his cycle and added to the Illini lead with a two-out RBI triple in the bottom of the seventh.  Third baseman Dominic Altobelli brought home the Limestone High School product by following with a single, stretching the Illinois lead to 11-7.

Bradley threatened again in the eighth with consecutive one-out singles by Sullivan and pinch-hitter Jim Clayton, but Fritz lined out to short and Fitzgerald lined out to left. 

The Braves put together one final rally in the ninth inning against the sixth Illinois hurler, Nick Chmielewski, loading the bases on a Mitidiero leadoff single, a Kimble one-out walk and a Hendricks two-out single.  Pinch-hitter Brad Kimball came through with a two-run single to center field to pull within 11-9, but reserve third baseman Jordan Colvin struck out to end the game.

Bradley returns to action Wednesday by hosting Chicago State in a 4 p.m. doubleheader at O'Brien Field.  The Braves then will hit the road again for a three-game weekend series at Missouri Valley Conference rival Indiana State, which will begin with a 2 p.m. (CT) contest Friday in Terre Haute.