EAST PEORIA, Ill. - The University of Northern Iowa softball team's first trip to the Missouri Valley Conference tournament in seven years didn't last long. sixth-seeded Bradley jumped out to an early lead and eliminated the Panthers in Thursday evening's quarterfinals, 4-2.

Playing on their home field, the Braves (23-26) scored all four runs in the first three innings. Bradley jumped onto the scoreboard in the top of the first inning on Miriam Wegmann's bases-loaded sacrifice fly to center field.

Annie Creighton extended Bradley's lead with a solo home run in the second inning. The Braves loaded the bases on two hits and a hit batter in the third inning before scoring a run on a wild pitch, followed by an RBI groundout to the pitcher.

Bradley ace Ashley Birdsong pitched a complete game seven-hitter with three strikeouts and two walks. She held UNI (34-22) scoreless until the sixth inning, when Rachel Gerking drove home Megan Machovec with a single to left field. The Panthers went on to load the bases with two outs in the sixth inning before Birdsong induced a groundball to retire the side.

Freshman MacKenzie Daigh drove in UNI's final run with two outs in the seventh inning.

Panthers' ace Jen Larsen allowed all four runs on four hits with one walk and one strikeout in 2 1/3 innings.

Junior Rachel Gerking's RBI Thursday gave her a UNI and MVC single-season record of 59.

Bradley 112 000 0 - 4 5 2

Northern Iowa 000 001 1 - 2 7 4

Birdsong and Vitale; Larsen, Hutcheson (3), Tillett (7) and Papesh. WP - Birdsong (17-10). LP - Larsen (18-12). HRs: Creighton (1).