GREENVILLE, N.C. – Missouri State scored four times in the bottom of the eighth inning, then held off a ninth-inning Pepperdine rally to pull out an 8-7 decision over the Waves on the final day of play at the Keith LeClair Classic Sunday afternoon at Clark-LeClair Stadium.

Jack Duffy's two-run double snapped a 4-4 tie after Hunter Steinmetz sparked the second four-run MSU rally of the game with a leadoff two-bagger, and Logan Geha reached on a fielder's choice. A balk brought home a third Bears run, before Jeremy Eierman added what would prove to be the clinching run with a two-out RBI single.

MSU reliever Matt Russell coolly struck out the first Pepperdine hitter in the ninth, but back-to-back walks set the table for a topsy-turvy finish. Singles by Quincy McAfee and Jordan Qsar produced a run, before a bases-loaded walk and a wild pitch brought home two more tallies to cut the Bears' lead to one run.

But Russell cut down Qsar at the plate for the second out on Mike Malinchak's come-backer, and Eierman made a diving stab on a Aharon Modlin's hot shot up the middle, flipping the ball to John Privitera for the game-ending force out at second.

Steinmetz ignited both of the Bears' four-run rallies, as the junior drew a leadoff walk to start MSU's fifth-inning rally that overturned an early 2-0 Pepperdine advantage. Geha coaxed a free pass as well, and Jordan Fitzpatrick came through with a pinch hit single to load the bases. A Jonathan Pendergrast (0-2) wild pitch allowed Steinmetz to score the first MSU run of the day, and Landan Ruff's bunt single plated Geha with the tying run. Next, Privitera's base hit to right put MSU on top, before Eierman's sac fly made it a 4-2 contest.

Pepperdine, which initially took its early lead thanks to a Missouri State fielding miscue in the fourth, scratched out single runs in the seventh and eighth innings to pull even, however. Cory Willis registered a one-out double in the seventh for his third hit of the game, and came around on Duncan McKinnon's two-out single off MSU reliever Connor Sechler. But Duffy, who recorded two outfield assists in the winning effort, knocked down a Brandt Belk liner to right, then threw a dart to Privitera, who nailed McKinnon at the plate to preserved the one-run lead.

But the Waves drew even the following inning, as McAfee's leadoff hit, a Logan Wiley wild pitch and Malinchak's fielder's choice bouncer knotted the score at 4-4. With two out and the go-ahead run in scoring position, Jake Lochner (1-0) squashed the PU threat, inducing a pop-foul to left for the final out.

Steinmetz promptly put the Bears on the offensive in the home half of the inning, lining a 1-1 pitch from Pendergast down the right-field line to set the stage for game's pivotal rally. He then beat Pendergast's throw to third on Geha's two-strike sacrifice bunt, putting runners on the corners with nobody out. Duffy drilled the first offering saw into the left-center field gap to bring home both baserunners.

Eierman notched his second consecutive two-hit effort, reaching base in four of his five trips to the plate overall. Millas continued to swing a hot bat with a 2-for-4 day, capping his weekend in North Carolina 7-for-9 at the plate with five RBIs.

MSU starter Ty Buckner logged his best effort as a Bear, holding the Waves (5-7) to two unearned runs on seven hits over 5.0 frames. 

Up next, the Bears return to Hammons Field to open the 2018 home slate Wednesday (March 7) with a 3 p.m. contest against Oklahoma State. Bears' single-game tickets for all MSU home contests this spring are priced at $5 for the general public, $2.50 for Missouri State faculty and staff, $2 for students and $4 per adult ($2 for children) for groups of 20 or more for the upcoming season. All children ages 12 and under will require a $2 ticket for admission.

Season tickets for the 2018 season are on sale now through the Missouri State Athletics box office and include packages for lower-level reserved chairback seats for $100 (general public), $50 for Missouri State faculty and staff and $20 for students. Eight-game mini-packages will also be offered for $32 per ticket. Additionally, MSU is offering free season-long admission for up to two children (ages 12 and under) with the purchase of two 2018 season tickets. The Bears will also offer a '6-Pack Special' for the first time this spring. Purchase six or more season tickets and receive a 25-percent discount, making the ticket price just $75 per season ticket.

For additional season ticket information or to place your order in person, visit the Old Missouri Bank Ticket Window at JQH Arena during normal box office hours, call (417) 836-7678 or (888) 476-7849 (toll-free). Requests may also be placed online through MissouriStateBears.com, or by calling (417) 836-8899.