ST. LOUIS - Bradley junior pitcher Elliot Ashbeck (Marshfield, Wis./Marshfield H.S.) is the Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher of the Week for the second time this season, according to an announcement from the league office this afternoon.

Ashbeck, who first won the award Feb. 23, earned the latest honor in recognition of his 5-hit shutout Friday, leading the way to Bradley's 1-0 win against Southern Illinois in the home and MVC opener at Dozer Park. Ashbeck's performance Friday was his first career shutout and he matched his career-best with nine strikeouts without walking a batter. He allowed only two runners to reach second base, none to third, and he retired the final seven batters he faced to finish Bradley's first 1-0 complete-game victory since current Major Leaguer Rob Scahill also beat Southern Illinois, 1-0, May 1, 2009 at Dozer Park.

Ashbeck improved to 6-1 in his seven starts this season and he lowered his season earned run average to 2.22. He also lowered his career ERA to 3.19, the lowest mark by a Bradley pitcher with at least 100 innings pitched since the introduction of metal bats in 1974.

In addition to his work on the mound Friday, Ashbeck was Bradley's designated hitter in the other three games last week, batting .333 with two doubles, two RBI's and five walks for a .571 on-base percentage. He drove home the go-ahead run with a RBI double and scored what proved to be the winning run Wednesday's 5-2 win at Iowa.

Ashbeck and the Braves (19-6) will return to action Tuesday by hosting Saint Louis in a 6 p.m. game at Dozer Park. Bradley already owns a program-record 19 wins before April 1 and will be shooting for a 20th pre-April win Tuesday against the Billikens. General admission tickets will be free for Tuesday's game, while Bradley will continue to sell Dozer Park suite access for $12.

Tuesday Game Notes | Tuesday Live Stats | Tuesday Live Video