No. 4 Southern Illinois erased a two‑run deficit to defeat No. 2 Indiana State 7‑5 in an elimination game at the Missouri Valley Conference Baseball Championships, sending the Sycamores home.
Carter Beck powered the Sycamores early with two solo homers, extending his season total to 16 and contributing to a team‑leading 62 runs scored, while Ty Brooks pitched five scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and two walks.
The game remained tied until the eighth inning, when Jaden Flores delivered a two‑out RBI single that knotted the score.
Southern Illinois broke the tie in the ninth with Tim Simay’s RBI single, giving them their first lead, and Kaleb Hall followed with a grand slam that pushed the advantage to 7‑2.
Jeremy Martinez answered with a three‑run homer in the bottom of the ninth, cutting the deficit to 7‑5, but the rally fell short.
Meade Johnson then retired the next three batters, sealing the 7‑5 final and closing out the Sycamores’ season.
Indiana State finished the year 30‑27, marking their 33rd 30‑win season, while Southern Illinois advanced to the next round.