Mizzou surrenders three runs in ninth, loses series opener

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Mizzou Baseball entered the ninth inning on Friday evening with a one-run lead but was unable to hold on for the win. Kerrick Jackson's crew fell to Purdue Fort Wayne 9-7 in the first contest of its four-game set.

After trailing for the first eight innings of the game, Helias alum Trevor Austin tied the game 6-6 with a two-run home run. Then, Mateo Serna gave Mizzou its first lead, delivering an RBI single to drive in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning.

The Tigers held a 7-6 advantage with just one inning left, but Purdue Fort Wayne launched two home runs in the final frame to retake the lead and did not allow a hit in Mizzou's half of the inning to clinch the first game of the series.

Austin finished the game with three hits, a home run and three RBI's. On the mound, Mizzou's starting pitcher Bryce Mayer completed six innings of work, allowing five runs on seven hits and posting a career-high eight strikeouts. Ian Lohse was given the loss after surrendering four runs in the final two innings of the game.

Up next - The Tigers continue their four-game series with the Mastodons on Saturday, March 9 with a doubleheader. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 12 p.m.