Mizzou baseball wins slugfest for Braggin’ Rights against Illinois

SAUGET, Ill. (KMIZ)

The Mizzou baseball team snapped a seven-game losing streak in rivalry fashion, on Tuesday night. Skipper Kerrick Jackson and company grabbed an 11-9 win over Illinois for Braggin' Rights out in Sauget, Illinois.

The Tigers jumped out to an early eight-run in the first two innings and never looked back.

In the first inning, the bats came out of the gates scorching hot, as Jackson Lovich drilled a two-run home run into left field and Mateo Serna followed that up with an RBI single into right center to get up three runs.

In the second inning, there was no slowing down. MU got up by four runs courtesy of a bases-loaded hit by pitch and then poured on more damage with a Lovich RBI single, a Serna two RBI single and a Keegan Knutson sacrifice grounder. By the time two innings were said and down, Jackson's bats had hit their way to an eight-run lead.

In total, Mizzou out-hit Illinois 12-10, as five players registered at least an RBI.

Lovich led the charge at the plate for his Tigers. The Overland Park, Kansas native went 3-for-5 with a team-high four RBI, two runs and a home run.

However, pitching has been the chief concern for Jackson and his staff as of late. Over the course of the last six games, MU has given up 69 runs and that stat didn't improve much on Tuesday night. Despite the win, the Tigers still gave up nine runs to the Fighting Illini.

Blair Oaks alum Wil Libbert earned his second win of the season, after throwing for 5.0 innings and allowing four earned runs on five hits. He also struck out five batters.

After two more pitchers came in in relief, Xavier Lovett closed out the game and notched his second save of the 2025 campaign. He pitched the final 2.0 innings and only gave up one earned run on one hit.

Up next - Mizzou will return home to Taylor Stadium to host No. 7 Texas on Friday, March 28. First pitch in game one of the three-game series is set for 6 p.m.