For the first time ever in this rivalry, Missouri State and Missouri met each other on the ball field with both teams nationally ranked. The Bears (28-9), were ranked 15th and the Tigers (26-15), were ranked 14th.
Missouri State overcame a four-run deficit at Taylor Stadium, scoring the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth inning on hard hit ball by Tate Matheny that got past shortstop Ryan Howard to edge the Tigers, 9-8.
The Bears hit a season-high three home runs, including a game-tying solo shot from Blake Graham in the third and Justin Paulsen’s team-leading sixth of the season that started Missouri State’s five-run rally in the sixth. With the win, MSU extended the nation’s longest road win streak to 10 games with its eighth win in its last 11 trips to Columbia since 2002.
Mizzou’s Brett Peel hit his third home run of the season in the fourth to make it a 7-3 Tigers lead. The Bears took the lead in the sixth inning, hanging five runs to gain an 8-7 edge over the Tigers. Mizzou Freshman Trey Harris hit his third home run of the season in the seventh inning to tie the game, 8-8.
Breckin Williams was charged with the loss, as the Bears were able to capitalize on two Tiger errors in the top of the ninth to score the go-ahead run. The go-ahead run scored on an error by Howard at short, scoring from second base.
