PEORIA, Ill. - Fifth-year junior righthander Steve Adkins struck out a career-high nine while allowing only three singles in 7.0 innings, leading Bradley (25-10, 4-4 MVC) to a 4-2 win against Wichita State (14-24, 6-5 MVC) Saturday afternoon at Dozer Park.

After posting 20 consecutive wins in the series dating to 2007, Wichita State gifted the Braves the deciding runs in the fifth inning when shortstop Tanner Kirk stumbled trying to circle under an Elliot Ashbeck 2-out popup that allowed two runs to score for a 4-0 Bradley lead.

After the Shockers pulled to within 4-2 on Daniel Kihle's 2-run home run in the eighth, Bradley closer Matt Dennis struck out two in a perfect ninth inning to equal the single-season school saves record. Dennis is The Valley's leader with eight saves this season and the sophomore right-hander has saved all three of Bradley's wins this week.

Braves third baseman Spencer Gaa got the scoring started with a solo home run in the fourth inning. Gaa's third home run of the season to straight away left field hit high off the netting beyond the concourse that protects the Jefferson Street traffic.

Isaac Smith added an RBI single in the fifth for a 2-0 lead and after Gaa walked, Ashbeck blooped his 2-run single into shallow left field.

Adkins (5-2) was in control from the beginning, striking out the first four Wichita State hitters of the game. He did not allow a Shocker to reach third base until two outs in the seventh and he got out of that jam with his ninth strikeout. The only run Ashbeck allowed was unearned, the result of a leadoff error in the fifth that ended his day. Reliever Cameron Roegner gave up a 1-out home run to Kihle before getting the final two outs of the eighth and turning things over to Dennis in the ninth.

Chase Williams (1-3) suffered the loss for Wichita State by allowing four runs on four hits with three walks and five strikeouts in his 4.2 innings. Four Shockers relievers held the Braves scoreless on four hits over the final 3.1 innings.

Sunday's series finale has been pushed ahead one hour to 11 a.m. in hopes of avoiding expected rain. Junior lefthander Brent Stong (4-2) will get the start for the Braves.