SIUE Snaps Baseball’s Win Streak, 5-4

COLUMBIA, Mo. – A two-out rally in the seventh inning and a clutch performance from its bullpen proved to be the difference for SIU Edwardsville, which halted University of Missouri baseball’s five-game win streak with a 5-4 decision over the Tigers Tuesday evening in nonconference action at Taylor Stadium.

Ethan Willoughby laced a run-scoring single to center to bring home Ryan Niedzwiedz, who drew a walk and stole second base to spark the deciding rally with two out in the seventh. Cougars reliever Ian Benner (2-0) held the Tigers in check over 2 2/2 innings, before Alex Rodriguez worked out of a two-on, nobody-out jam in the ninth to preserve the one-run victory for SIUE.

Ryan Spence (2-for-5) and Chase Bloomer (3-for-5) combined for five hits and three RBIs in the contest, including back-to-back run-producing hits in SIUE’s three-run fifth inning that followed four shutout innings by Mizzou starter Daniel Wissler and handed the visitors a 3-1 edge. Consecutive sixth-inning singles by Sean Kang and Daniel Gierer brought home a fourth Cougar baserunner of the night, stretching the lead to three runs.

Mizzou mounted some two-out momentum of its own in the home half of the sixth, rallying for three runs to even the score. After a pair of walks opened the door against SIUE reliever Matthew Gist, Brock Daniels came through with a two-out single, bringing home Mateo Serna and Matt Garcia to cut the deficit to 4-3. Moments later, Jackson Beaman lined a single to left to plate Daniels with the tying run.

MU reliever Victor Quinn (0-1) quickly retired the first two SIUE hitters in the seventh, but Niedzwiedz coaxed ball four on a 3-2 pitch, then swiped second to set up Willoughby’s RBI single to center.

The Tigers threatened in the bottom of the seventh, putting a man in scoring position on Serna’s two-out double. But Benner induced an inning-ending fly ball to center, then struck out the side in the eighth.

Rodriguez overcame a shaky start to the ninth, walking Beaman and Trevor Austin to put the potential tying and game-winning runs on base with nobody out. But Kang gunned down the lead runner attempting to advance on a ball in the dirt, and Rodriguez retired the next two hitters on ground balls to short to wrap up his first save.

Daniels drove in three runs to lead the Mizzou offense, while Beaman added a 2-for-4 night for the Tigers.

TIGER NOTEBOOK

• Despite the loss, Mizzou leads the all-time series over SIU Edwardsville, 21-6.
• SIUE’s victory marked its first against MU since April 13, 2011, halting a six-game Tigers win streak in the series.
• Missouri is 90-29 all-time against the Ohio Valley Conference’s current membership, dropping to 3-2 this season.
• Wissler made his sixth start of the season, holding SIUE scoreless through four. He finished with four strikeouts, allowing three runs off six hits in 5.0 innings.
• Daniels recorded his fourth outing of three or more RBIs this season.
• Over his last six appearances, Daniels has hit 10-of-22 (.455), coupled with 13 RBI’s and five steals.
• Beaman drove in his 18th run of the season while recording his fifth multi-hit game of 2024.
• Austin extended his hit streak to six games with a 1-for-4 night.
• Lovich drew a pair of walks against SIUE and has now reached base in seven-straight contests.
• MU’s eight walks marked its best single-game total since March 10.
• OF Jeric Curtis finished 0-for-3, as his career-best, five-game hit streak came to an end.

UP NEXT
Mizzou returns to Southeastern Conference play this weekend, opening a three-game set against Georgia Thursday (April 11) evening with a 6 p.m. (CDT) contest that will be broadcast live on SEC Network.

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