Strikeout seals 9-6 win against SIU-Edwardsville

COLUMBIA, Mo. - SIU-Edwardsville had the go-ahead run at the plate in the top of the ninth inning, but Missouri's Austin Tribby closed out the game with a strikeout to seal the 9-6 win for the Tigers at Taylor Stadium.

The Tigers won the game despite having almost half as many hits - five - as runs.

Alec Skender singled in a run in the ninth to get the Cougars within the final margin. A single and a walk loaded the bases, but Tribby's strikeout ended the game.

Grant Macciocchi (1-0) made his first collegiate appearance for the Tigers, allowing just one runner on a hit batter in the first two innings on the mound to earn the win.

Ryan Lee came in for relief, retiring the Cougars in order in the third and stranding two runners in the fourth.

But the fifth inning was shaky, as Lee walked the first two batters and allowed an RBI double to Aaron Jackson.

A wild pitch and a passed ball made it 9-3 and an RBI single for Keaton Wright cut Missouri's lead to 9-4.

Lee got out of the inning with his fourth and final strikeout. He lasted four innings, allowing four runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks.

The Cougars added a run in the eighth when Jackson Layton grounded into a 6-4-3 double play with the bases loaded.

Tribby walked one and struck out one in one-third of an inning.

The Tigers got on the scoreboard fast with four in the first, three in the second and one in the third and fourth.

Nick Lavy tripled in the first two runs of the game, Trey Harris then singled up the middle to score Lavy, and Harris later scored on an error.

The first three Missouri batters reached base in the second before Ryan Howard's sacrifice fly made it 5-0. Kirby McGuire scored on a wild pitch and Lavy's sacrifice fly made it 7-0.

Brett Bond hit an RBI single in the third and Ring scored on a wild pitch in the fourth.

Harris had two of Missouri's five hits and Lavy drove in three runs.

Missouri (18-13) returns to Southeastern Conference play Thursday against Auburn at home. Game time is set for 6:30 p.m.