Rutgers (2-9 overall) jumped out to an early lead, pushing a run across in the top of the first inning.  Mikelyn Messina led off the game with a walk and moved to third after a stolen base and a wild pitch.  Messina came around to score when Brittney Lindley hit into a fielder's choice.

The Scarlet Knights added a pair of runs in the top of the second inning to push their lead to 3-0.  Ashley Bragg reached on a one-out single and Jennifer Harabedian had a two-out single to put runners at first and second.  Rutgers scored a pair of runs when Mickenzie Alden reached on an error. 

Bradley (7-5 overall) threatened in the bottom half of the second inning.  Freshman Taylor Cox (Loveland, Colo./Andover) drew a one-out walk and Kresl followed with a pinch-hit single.  Senior Janay Mitchell (Woodridge, Ill./Downers Grove South) loaded the bases when she was hit by a pitch, but the Braves were unable to push a run across.

BU struck for four runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 4-3 lead.  Junior Brittany Fairbairn (Lombard, Ill./Glenbard East/Kankakee) extended her team-best hit streak to five consecutive games with a one-out single and junior Kate Singler (Witt, Ill./Nokomis/Heartland C.C.) was hit by a pitch.  Cox drew her second walk of the game to load the bases with two outs and Kresl drove in Faibairn with a single to left.  Mitchell drew a walk to drive in another run and sophomore Jackie Roth (Hickory Hills, Ill./Stagg) was hit by a pitch to plate the third run in the frame as Bradley tied the contest at 3-3. 

Senior Lindsay Watkins (Hopedale, Ill./Olympia/Parkland C.C.) scored Kresl from third with a two-out bases-loaded single to give Bradley a 4-3 lead, but Mitchell was thrown out at the plate to end the inning as she attempted to score on the play.

Rutgers answered with a run in the top of the fourth inning to tie the game at 4-4.  Bragg had a one-out double and moved to third on a groundout.  Harabedian knocked in Bragg from third with a single up the middle.

The Scarlet Knights went back in front in the fifth without the benefit of a hit.  Messina led off the inning with a walk and Jen Meinheit drew a base on balls to put runners at first and second.  Rutgers had runners at second and third after a sacrifice bunt and Messina scored when Mandy Craig reached on a fielder's choice.

The Braves managed one hit in the final three innings as Holly Johnson picked up the victory in relief for Rutgers.  Freshman Brandi Ore (Versailles, Ky./Paul Laurence Dunbar) suffered the loss in the circle for Bradley, giving up four hits and five runs (three earned) in four innings of work.  Ore fell to 1-2 on the season with the setback.

Bradley returns to action Saturday at 8:30 a.m. against Chattanooga to open the second day of play at the Under Armour Invitational.   Live stats and a complete tournament schedule are available at http://www.gousfbulls.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=36723&SPID=2928&DB_OEM_ID=7700&ATCLID=204825664