SAUGET, Ill. -- Fighting Illini baseball (11-10) fell to Missouri (18-6), 6-5, in a thrilling Braggin' Rights contest at GCS Credit Union Ballpark.
The Tigers struck first in the ballgame, plating three runs with two outs to take a 3-0 lead. The Illini would get on the board in the second when Ryan Moerman launched his fourth home run, his second in as many games, to left field, making it 3-1.
Missouri would push a run across in the fourth, but Illinois would scored twice in the bottom half of the frame to make it 4-3. Moerman would pick up his second RBI with a run-scoring single and Brody Harding came through with a two-out single two batters later.
The Tigers would restore their three-run lead by plating a run in both the fifth and six innings to make it a 6-3 game, but the Illini rallied again in the bottom of the sixth, scoring twice to make it 6-5. Moerman collected his third RBI of the contest with a sacrifice fly and Cal Hejza followed with an RBI-single of his own to bring the Orange and Blue within one.
Korey Bunselmeyer was stellar in relief, posting 2.2 scoreless frames and allowing just two hits. Bunselmeyer also whiffed two batters and issued no walks.
The game was set up for a dramatic finish when Danny Doligale robbed a home run in the ninth to keep the deficit at one, but the Illini were ultimately unable to score.
Illinois will be back in action on Friday, taking on Michigan in a three-game set at Illinois Field. First pitch of the series opener is slated for 6:00 p.m. CT.
GAME NOTES
» Ryan Moerman led the way offensively for the Illini, going 2-for-3 with a run, home run and three RBI.
    » Has homered in consecutive games for the first time this season.
    » Has back-to-back multi-RBI performances.
    » Leads the team with 24 RBI this season...ranks eighth among Big Ten hitters.
    » Extends his hitting streak to four games...matches a season-high (2 times).
» Brody Harding went 1-for-2 with an RBI and two walks.
    » Extended his hitting streak to a season-high three games.
    » Third game this season drawing at least two walks.
» Jake Swartz whiffed a career-high seven batters in the start.
    » Has struck out 15 batters and issued just three walks in his last three starts.
» Korey Bunselmeyer worked 2.2 scoreless innings in relief, fanning three batters.
    » Has not allowed an earned run in his last 5.1 innings of work, spanning three games.
» Branden Comia's on-base streak ends at 60 games.
    » Second-longest streak in program history.
» Illinois went 4-for-10 (.400) with runners in scoring position.
» Illinois pitchers faced 41 Missouri hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out 11.
This story created through content automation technology from Data Skrive.
