Keeton Steele, SEC pitcher of the week. (photo/Mizzou athletics)

Keeton Steele, SEC pitcher of the week. (photo/Mizzou athletics)

A two-run ninth inning for Southern Illinois pushed the Salukis past Mizzou with a 4-2 final on Tuesday night at Lindenwood University’s Lou Brock Complex. Mizzou and Illinois will play at Busch Stadium tonight at 6:30 p.m.

On Monday, junior closer Keaton Steele (St. Joseph, Mo.) was named SEC Co-Pitcher of the Week after his performance against Auburn this past weekend.   Steel picked up a pair of saves against the No. 21 Tigers to help Mizzou win its first SEC series of the year. The two saves give Steele seven on the season, which is second in the SEC. This is the second time that Steele has been named SEC Pitcher of the Week.

Missouri State closed out its longest homestand of the season in style Tuesday evening, as Clay Murphy held Saint Louis to two hits over eight innings while the Bears offense bashed a season-high three home runs to pull away for an 8-0 non-conference victory over the Billikens at Hammons Field.

Missouri State travels to Tulsa for a 6:30 p.m. game Wednesday with Oral Roberts before enjoying its lone off weekend of the regular season.