PEORIA, Ill. – In a game marred by six errors and eight wild pitches, Saturday's Missouri Valley Conference game between Bradley and Southern Illinois may have been decided by a defensive gem.

With runners at first and second and no outs in the bottom of the ninth for Bradley (16-27, 1-15 MVC), the SIU middle infield combination of shortstop Jake Welch robbed Braves DH Max Murphy of an RBI single up the middle and second baseman Ryan Rosthenhausler made the turn for an impressive double play.  Greg Partyka followed with an RBI double off the wall in right center to pull Bradley within 9-7, but SIU closer Todd Eaton needed just one pitch to retire Derek Sprout to end the game and send the Braves to their 14th consecutive MVC loss.

Bradley won or tied four of the five innings in which runs were scored, but Southern Illinois (23-27, 5-12) rode a 7-run fourth inning to the series-clinching win.  The Salukis benefitted from a pair of errors, as well as two wild pitches, a sacrifice fly and six hits to plate their seven runs in the fourth.  Only three of SIU's nine total runs were earned.

Bradley senior outfielder Mike Tauchman continued to swing the hot bat for the Braves, again boosting his league-leading batting average by going 2-for-3 while adding a walk, a sacrifice fly and two stolen bases.  The lefty hitter singled off LHP Tyler Dray during Bradley's 9th-inning rally, raising his season average to .625 (25-40) versus left-handed pitching this season.  While bumping his league-leading batting average to .432 overall, Tauchman improved his average in 17 MVC games to .484 (30-for-62).

Tauchman got the scoring started by drawing a one-out walk in the bottom of the first, his seventh consecutive plate appearance reaching safely dating back to Tuesday.  He then stole second and when the throw went into center field, Tauchman advanced to third.  The throw in from the outfield bounced away from the SIU third baseman, allowing Tauchman to score.  He added a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning, then singled, stole second and scored in the seventh.

The teams will  wrap up their weekend series with a 1 p.m. game Sunday at Dozer Park.  Bradley will honor six seniors in a pregame ceremony:  C Josh Camalick, utility David Compitello, 3B Curtiss Bunch, RHP Patrick Flanagan, Tauchman and 1B/OF Andrew Wasmund.