SPRINGFIELD - Leading 2-1 going into the eighth inning, the Missouri baseball team was looking for some insurance runs. They got some in a big way.
Logan Pearson hit a two-run triple in the eighth to take a 5-1 lead. Missouri staved off a Missouri State rally and held on for a 5-4 victory.
After the Tigers put up three in the top of the eighth, the Bears answered with three in the bottom half to make it 5-4. The first two batters reached base in the ninth for the Bears, but a foul out and a double play ended the game.
Keaton Steele had three hits for the Tigers. Kendall Keeton and Shane Segovia had two hits for Missouri.
Jace James got the win for Missouri. He allowed one run on three hits while striking out two.
Keenen Maddox and Travis McComack had two hits each for Missouri State which dropped to 19-9 overall.
The Tigers (12-17) are back in action this weekend with a three-game series at second-ranked Vanderbilt.