Season Statistics

SPRINGFIELD – Evansville used a four-run sixth inning to break open Friday's Missouri Valley Conference series opener with Missouri State at Hammons Field, and the Bears got the tying run to second base in the ninth inning before falling by a 6-4 final.

Missouri State (14-15, 0-4 MVC) led two batters into the game when Spencer Nivens drew a leadoff walk to extend his streak of reaching safely to 24 games and scored on a Mason Greer double.

Evansville (17-16, 2-2) hit the first home run off Adam Link in nearly 50 innings in the third for a 2-1 advantage, and MSU tied it at 2-2 in the fourth with the help of two UE errors.

The Purple Aces were aided by an MSU error in the sixth to go with three hits in the frame to plate four runs, the big blow being a three-run double by Chase Hug, to make it 6-2.

Greer had an RBI single in the seventh and then walked with the bases loaded in the ninth to complete his 2-for-4, three RBI day, and Evansville's Nate Hardman retired the next two Bears with the bases loaded to escape with the victory.

With poor weather in the forecast Sunday, the series with conclude with a 1 p.m. doubleheader Saturday at Hammons Field.