PEORIA, Ill. – Bradley took a 5-run lead into the ninth inning, but still could not put an end to its Missouri Valley Conference skid as visiting Southern Illinois (24-27, 6-12 MVC) used five extra base hits in its final at bat to rally for an 8-7 win Sunday afternoon at Dozer Park.

Bradley (16-28, 1-17) dropped its 15th consecutive Valley game, despite holding a 7-2 lead with one out and nobody on base in the top of the ninth.  Freshman right-hander Elliot Ashbeck retired his eighth consecutive Saluki hitter when he got Luke Mottashed to pop out to open the ninth, but five straight Salukis reached on three doubles, a home run and a walk.

Senior right-hander Patrick Flanagan relieved with a runner at second base and the Braves still clinging to a 7-6 lead and he was within one pitch of closing out the win after he retired SIU slugger Austin Montgomery on a first-pitch foul out.  After plunking Ryan Casillas with a pitch, Flanagan jumped ahead of Cody Daily, 0-2, but gave up a 2-run double to the Salukis third baseman for SIU's fifth extra-base hit of the inning.

Despite the deflating events of the top of the ninth, Bradley had a chance to rally against SIU closer Todd Eaton.  Brady Wilkin started the home half of the ninth with a high-chopper to second and wound up at 2nd base when Wes Neece's throw went into the first base camera bay.  After Nolan Sponsler grounded out to second, moving Wilkin to third, SIU elected to pitch to the league's top hitter, Mike Tauchman, who was 8-for-11 in the series.  SIU appeared to catch a huge break when Tauchman skied a pop up on the infield, but shortstop Jake Welch could not make the catch after racing across the front of the mound to the first base side.

Wilkin had to hold at third base on the play and the gift base hit wound up being a blessing for the Salukis.  With the infield in, Tauchman broke for second en route to his third stolen base of the game, but DH Josh Camalick hit a soft pop to Neece, who made the catch and easily tossed the ball to first base, doubling off Tauchman, to end the game.

Bradley, which has cancelled Tuesday's final non-conference game against Eastern Illinois due to final exams, will return to action Thursday when it opens a 3-game Valley series at Indiana State.