Top-seeded Missouri State beat No. 8 Southern Illinois, 7-0, behind another solid pitching performance by Matt Hall. The junior from Lee’s Summit gave up just five hits while striking out 11 in 8.0 innings of work. Hall picked up his 11th win of the season and upped his NCAA-leading strikeout total to 147. Zach Merciez came on in the ninth inning to close out the victory for the Bears, striking out two more Saluki batters.
The Bears scored four runs in the first inning, roughing up Saluki starter Chad Whitmer, then added two runs in the second inning and an additional run in the bottom of the eighth inning for their ninth shutout of the season. Missouri State got hits from seven of its nine batters, with senior Dylan Becker leading the way after a 2-for-3 performance and one RBI, while junior Tate Matheny was 1-for-3 with two RBI.
Missouri State improved to 42-10 with the victory, and will face the winner Wichita State tonight.
Watch Missouri State’s postgame with video courtesy of the Missouri Valley Conference.