PEORIA, Ill. – Bradley outfielder Mike Tauchman continued to show why he is one of the top hitters in the country, but not even his hot bat could help the Braves snap their Missouri Valley Conference slump.  Southern Illinois (22-27, 4-12) sent Bradley (16-26, 1-15 MVC) to its 13th consecutive MVC loss with a 6-2 decision in the opener of their 3-game weekend series Friday night at the newly re-named Dozer Park.

Tauchman, who entered the game leading The Valley with a .413 overall batting average and a .436 norm in league play, was 4-for-4 with two doubles, a stolen base and two runs scored.  First baseman Greg Partyka twice drove Tauchman home with 2-out singles, but the rest of the Bradley lineup managed only three more hits.

After SIU starter Cody Forsythe (3-4) limited Bradley to two runs on eight hits in his 8.0 innings, reliever Todd Eaton opened the door for a Braves rally in the ninth.  Shortstop Tyler Leffler opened the ninth by reaching on a third strike wild pitch and Curtiss Bunch added a 1-out single, but with Tauchman in the on-deck circle representing the potential tying run, Nolan Sponsler struck out swinging to end the game.

Bradley starter David Koll limited the Salukis to just one run on two hits through the first five innings, before running into trouble in the sixth, when the Salukis plated five runs on four hits, two walks and a hit by pitch from the combination of Koll and reliever Cameron Roegner.

The teams will continue their weekend series with a 2 p.m. game Saturday at Dozer Park.  On the same day as Peoria's Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, Saturday will be Bradley's annual Breast Cancer Awareness Game and the Braves will wear pink jerseys and hats.  Race for the Cure participants will receive free admission to the game by showing their bib number at the entrance and the first 500 fans in attendance will receive pink Bradley wristbands.