SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Missouri State built an early six-run lead and the Bears needed nearly all of it as Illinois State mounted a late rally that came up just two runs short in a Missouri Valley Conference Tournament game Friday night at Hammons Field. Missouri State won by an 8-6 count.
Top-seeded Missouri State sent 10 batters to the plate and scored four runs in the top of the first inning, chasing Redbird starter Colton Johnson before the end of the frame. The Bears led by six runs heading to the bottom of the ninth, but a late Illinois State rally saw the No.