TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Bradley scored in the first inning for the third straight game, but the Braves (24-27) could not maintain the early momentum as Missouri State scored seven unanswered runs for a 7-2 win at the Missouri Valley Conference Baseball Championship Thursday afternoon.

The loss ends Bradley's season, while Missouri State advances to the Bracket B championship round against Dallas Baptist Friday afternoon.

Max Murphy legged out a 2-out infield single in the top of the first, then scored when Greg Partyka and Tyler Leffler followed with line drive singles to center field.

The Braves threatened to add to their 1-0 lead in the second inning when Austin Jarvis and Isaac Smith drew consecutive 1-out walks from MSU starting pitcher Matt Hall. Missouri State made an early call to the bullpen and Zach Merciez got out of the jam on just two pitches. Merciez and Jake Powers shut the Braves down the rest of the game, combining to allow one run on four hits with 11 strikeouts in their 6.2 innings.

Murphy and Partyka both went 2-for-4 to pace Bradley's 8-hit attack. Midgame substitue Trey Massenberg jumpstarted Missouri State's offense, going 2-for-2 with a double and two runs scored. Tate Matheny, Eric Cheray and Dylan Becker all contributed two hits apiece to Missouri State's 10-hit attack.