COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Western Illinois (0-11) bullpen again silenced the Missouri Tigers (8-5) battery but was edged 6-5 on Saturday (March 7) afternoon at Taylor Stadium.
In back-to-back games, the Leatherneck relievers tossed up zeros. The combination of three relievers have tossed 13.2 innings of shutout ball and have held the Tigers to six hits.
Brian Raymond (4.0 IP) was the first out in the second inning, and the lefty held Mizzou to one hit while striking out three. Jack Carberry (2.2 IP) completed the final frames as he entered with one out in the sixth. He also held the SEC match up to a single hit and allowed two free passes.
WIU made it a one-run (6-5) game in the eighth. After a Grant Hannant double and wild pitch, Toby Allred singled into leftfield. An inning later, Drue Galassi knocked a two-out single but was left stranded.
The Tigers again jumped out to an early lead and pushed ahead 6-0 in the second inning.
Max Slavens stepped up to the plate with two outs and the bases loaded in the sixth. He proved to be the right man in the right spot. His first collegiate hit brought around two runs and cut Missouri's lead in half.
A wild pitch later in the top half allowed Allred to scamper home and make it a two-run game, 6-4.
The series finale is set for Sunday (March 8) at 1 p. m.
