PEORIA, Ill. – Junior Elliot Ashbeck made quick work of Southern Illinois, striking out nine and walking none in a complete game 1-0 shutout effort in Bradley Baseball's Missouri Valley Conference and home opener Friday afternoon at Dozer Park.

Ashbeck, who improved to 6-1 on the year with the victory, didn't allow a runner past second base as he threw the first complete game shutout for the Braves since Joe Bircher blanked Southern Illinois (9-0) in a complete game effort on May 6, 2011.  In addition, Ashbeck matched a career high with nine strikeouts Friday as he tossed the first 1-0 complete game shutout at Bradley since Rob Scahill earned a 1-0 complete game win against the same Salukis on May 1, 2009.

Bradley (18-5 overall, 1-0 MVC) got the only run it would need in the bottom of the third.  Chris Godinez had a one-out triple to left center and Isaac Smith drove him home with the only run of the game on a sacrifice fly to left. 

Ashbeck scattered five hits over the first seven innings, never allowing more than two base runners in any frame.   In the eighth, Ashbeck opened the inning with a strikeout and flyout before fielding a bunt down the third base line to end the inning.  Ashbeck also had a 1-2-3 inning in the ninth, capping the game with his ninth strikeout of the day for his fourth perfect inning.  He made 102 pitches in the complete game effort as he scattered five hits in his first career home victory.

Smith drove in the only run of the game and was 2-for-2 with a walk and sacrifice fly.  Paul Solka tallied his eighth double of the year to lead off the seventh and was 2-for-3 at the plate as the duo combined for four of Bradley's five hits. 

Aaron Hauge had a solid effort on the hill for Southern Illinois, fanning 12.  He walked two and surrendered five hits in the loss to fall to 2-3 on the year. 

Bradley and Southern Illinois continue the three-game series Saturday with a 2 p.m. game at Dozer Park.