PEORIA. Ill. - The Northern Iowa baseball team snapped a five-game losing streak in Missouri Valley Conference action Friday night with a 4-2 victory over Bradley at O'Brien Field.

The win assured the Panthers (27-18, 12-7) a spot into the six-team Missouri Valley Conference postseason tournament for the first time since 2003.

Starter Guido Fonseca (8-1) worked eight innings to earn his first win in a month. The senior struck out nine and limited Bradley to five hits.

Closer Joe Gonzalez pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to register his ninth save of the season.

UNI spotted Bradley an early 1-0 lead, but rebounded with three two-out runs in the top of the fourth.

Brandon Douglas reached on a fielder's choice, stole second and scored on Brett Douglas's single to right.

Brett Featherston sandwiched a walk in between the Douglas combo, and scored on a balk. Brett Douglas came around to score on a single up the middle by Travis Hendrix, putting the Panthers on top 3-1.

Bradley (25-22, 9-10) inched closer with a single run in the sixth, but the Panthers scored in their half of the ninth on an Eddie Almonte single.

The teams continue the three-game series at 7 p.m. today.

Northern Iowa 000 300 001 - 4 7 1

Bradley 100 001 000 - 2 5 2

Guido Fonseca, Joe Gonzalez (9) and Eddie Almonte; Wright, Jensen (8) and Mitidiero. WP - Fonseca (8-1). LP - Wright (3-5). S -