Carbondale Reporter

Southern Illinois University's baseball team faced a challenging game against Missouri State, resulting in a 12-1 loss at Itchy Jones Stadium. This defeat brought an end to the Salukis' eight-game winning streak and set their record at 21-8 overall and 5-2 in the Missouri Valley Conference.

Missouri State (now 15-13, 6-1 MVC) showcased strong offensive performance, hitting six home runs and scoring consistently after the initial innings. Alec Nigut, a key pitcher for the Salukis, faced his first defeat this season, giving up five runs in 3.2 innings.

Despite falling behind early, Southern Illinois managed a brief comeback in the fifth inning. Mason Schwalbach's second double set the stage for Jaxon Holder's triple, bringing in their only run. Schwalbach ended the game with two hits, and Holder's triple marked the team's fourth of the season.

Missouri State's Michael Yusypchuk contributed significantly from the mound, completing the game while allowing just one run and striking out four. The Salukis' relief pitchers were unable to curb Missouri State's scoring, which included crucial home runs in the later innings.

The teams are set to conclude their series with a doubleheader on Monday, beginning at 1 p.m. at Itchy Jones Stadium. Updates on the Salukis can be tracked via their social media and mobile app platforms.