EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- Junior Julie Sherman (Hickory Hills, Ill./Stagg) had three singles and helped Bradley to a 9-6 advantage in hits, but Evansville scored four unearned run on eight BU errors to take the series opener 4-2 Friday night at Cooper Stadium.

Sherman extended her hit streak to a career-best 10 games with a 3-for-4 day at the plate, while senior Brittany Fairbairn (Lombard, Ill./Glenbard East/Kankakee C.C.) went 2-for-4 to push her hit streak to nine games.

Bradley (10-38 overall, 3-17 MVC) capitalized on a pair of Evansville errors for a run in the top of the first.  Sherman singled to lead off the game and later scored on a UE error to give the Braves an early 1-0 lead.

Evansville (12-37 overall, 6-16 MVC) answered with a run in the bottom half of the inning to pull even at 1-1. Jen Stalhut led off the frame with a double and later scored on the first of eight Bradley errors in the game.

Brianna Villanueva reached on a Bradley error in the second inning and eventualley scored to put the Purple Aces in front 2-1.

The Braves pulled even at 2-2 in the third inning on an RBI single by Fairbairn.  With two outs and runners at first and third, Fairbairn hit a single through the left side of the infield to drive home Sherman and tie the game at 2-2.

Evansville went back in front in the bottom half of the third inning without getting a hit.  Kelci Alsip followed up a pair of walks and Bradley error by stealing home to give the Purple Aces a 3-2 advantage.

Bradley left a pair of runners in scoring position in the fifth inning and Evansville took advantage of three BU errors in the bottom of the sixth to push another run across and the Purple Aces went on take the series opener 4-2.

Sophomore Mackenzie Camp (Mapleton, Ill./Limestone) took the loss for the Braves, despite not giving up an earned run in the contest.  She struck out four and walked four, while surrendering six hits and four unearned runs in the complete game loss to fall to 4-14 with the loss.

Evansville's Taylor Perry earned the victory for the Purple Aces, improving the 4-10 on the season.  She struck out three and walked one, while giving up two runs (one earned) in seven innings.

Bradley and Evansville close out the three-game series Saturday with a doubleheader at 1 p.m. at Cooper Stadium in Evansville, Ind.