PEORIA, Ill. – Bradley opened the door of opportunity for Illinois State and the rival Redbirds (26-16, 8-3 MVC) knocked it in, rallying from a 5-0 deficit to earn a 9-5 Missouri Valley Conference baseball victory Saturday afternoon at Peoria Chiefs Stadium.

Bradley (14-24, 1-13 MVC) dropped its 11th consecutive Valley game by committing five errors, walking six, hitting a batter and surrendering five hits, all in the final four innings.

Freshman left-hander Brent Stong cruised through the first five innings and held a 5-0 lead with nobody on base and two outs in the sixth when the wheels came off for the Braves.  A 2-out walk to Eric Aguilera opened the door for Illinois State and the Redbirds loaded the bases on an error and a second walk.  The Braves appeared to get out of the jam when shortstop Tyler Leffler fielded a ball deep in the hole and made a strong, but high throw to first.  First baseman Andrew Wasmund tried to stay on the bag, but the ball ticked off the top of his glove, allowing the first two Redbird runs to score.

Illinois State catcher Mike Hollenbeck followed with a 2-run single through the right side of the infield to pull the Redbirds within 5-4 and ending Stong's day.

Freshman right-hander Elliot Ashbeck got things back in order by getting the final out of the sixth, then worked around a 7th-inning error for a scoreless frame, but junior right-hander John Nasshan (1-7) took over to start the eighth and surrendered five runs without recording an out.  It appeared Nasshan started the inning with a strikeout, but after not getting the call on a 1-2 pitch, he hit Daniel Dwyer with the next offering.  Then after walking Paul DeJong, Nasshan's throw to first on a Hollenbeck bunt was ruled late, sparking more controversy.

East Peoria native Joe Kelch, who entered the game with a .135 batting average, came to the plate as pinch-hitter with the bases jammed a delivered the tying run on a single to left field.  Brett Kay followed with a 3-run triple to put the visitors in front, 8-5.

The late-game drama spoiled the performance of Bradley senior left fielder Mike Tauchman, who regained control of the league batting title race by going 4-for-4 with a double, two runs batted in and a run scored.  Tauchman also was hit by a pitch and swiped his team-leading 20th base of the season.  Tauchman raised his season batting average to .414, including .431 in 14 Valley games.

Freshman right-fielder Brady Wilkin drove in the day's first run with an RBI double in the 2nd and Tauchman pushed the advantage to 3-0 with a 2-run single later in the inning.  Illinois State left fielder prevented the Braves from blowing the game open early by ending the 2nd when he crashed into the left centerfield wall to rob Bradley designated hitter Greg Partyka of a potential 2-run double.  Parytka did come through with a 2-run double into the left centerfield gap in the fourth inning to give the Braves their 5-0 cushion.

The teams will conclude their 3-game weekend series with a 1 p.m. game Sunday at Peoria Chiefs Stadium.