SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Bradley junior lefthander Tory Doerr (2-3) allowed only two runs on five hits in 7.2 innings, but was the tough-luck loser as Missouri State (29-18, 10-6 MVC) pulled out its second 1-run victory of its Missouri Valley Conference series versus the visiting Braves (22-24, 4-13 MVC), a 2-1 victory Saturday afternoon at Hammons Field.

Missouri State took advantage of a leadoff walk in the fourth inning to get all the offense it needed.  Luke Voit followed the walk to Bren Seifert with an RBI double and scored on a 1-out single by Spiker Helms to give the Bears a 2-0 lead.  

Bradley got its run in the sixth inning when third baseman Rob Elliott led off with a bunt single, went to third on a 1-out single by Mike Tauchman and scored on a double by designated hitter Greg Partyka.

After surrendering the two fourth-inning runs, Doerr retired Missouri State's next 11 hitters, before running into trouble in the eighth when the Bears loaded the bases with two hits and walk.  Danny Gifford relieved and got a strike out to get out of the jam, leaving the Braves one last chance to rally.

Despite outhitting the Bears, 9-5, the sixth inning run was all the damage the Braves could manage against the Missouri State pitching combination of Blake Barber (7-3) and Dan Kickham.  Barber worked around eight hits and a walk in his 8.0 innings, while Kickham survived a ninth-inning double by Brian Martin to earn his second save of the series and 12th of the season.

The teams will wrap up their weekend series with a 1 p.m. game Sunday at Hammons Field.  Sophomore right-hander John Nasshan (3-5) is expected to make the start for the Braves.