DALLAS - Dallas Baptist erupted for eight runs in the third inning and the 16th-ranked Patriots (25-6, 7-3 MVC) roded the outburst to a 10-3 win against visiting Bradley (21-8, 2-2 MVC) in the opening game of their Missouri Valley Conference series Friday night at Horner Ballpark.

Bradley starter Elliot Ashbeck (7-2) entered Friday's game with the lowest career ERA (3.15) by any Bradley pitcher in the metal bat era, but the Patriots rocked the Braves ace for eight runs, six earned, on seven hits, a walk and a hit by pitch in the third inning. Drew Turbin and Justin Wall delivered the big blows in the inning, Turbin tying the game, 3-3, with a 3-run home run and Wall putting the Patriots ahead two batters later with a 2-run blast.

Bradley got off to a promising start, taking a 1-0 lead on Paul Solka's second-inning home run before pushing the lead to 3-0 on freshman DH Ian Kristan's 2-run single in the top of the third.

Patriots starter Joseph Shaw (6-1) settled down after the big third inning, however, and earned the win by allowing the three runs on five hits in his 7.0 innings of work.

The teams will continue their 3-game series Saturday with a 2 p.m. game at Horner Ballpark. Bradley's Steve Adkins (4-1) is scheduled to face DBU's Cory Taylor (3-1) in a matchup of junior right-handers.