April 21, 2010

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The Missouri State Bears used a five-run eighth inning Wednesday night to score a come-from-behind 5-3 win over Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in baseball at Hammons Field.

Luke Vine, 1-3, suffered the loss in relief for the Cougars, who dropped their second straight. Vine allowed all five runs on six hits in the inning. Bears' center fielder Aaron Conway added had a two-run home run in the inning.

The Cougars loaded the bases in the top of the ninth against Missouri State closer Grant Gordon, but couldn't push a run across.

SIUE, 12-24, got on the board with three hits in the third inning. Thad Hawkins led off the inning with a single, then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Travis Becherer. James Vazquez followed with a single. Matt Highland then singled to drive in Hawkins to make it 1-0.

The Cougars pushed the lead to 3-0 with a pair of runs on four hits in the fourth inning. Becherer and Vazquez each picked up RBIs in the inning. Becherer doubled to score Zach Hawkins. Vazquez beat out a two-out infield hit to score Thad Hawkins.

Thad Hawkins finished 3 for 3 with the two runs scored. Vazquez was 3 for 5 with the RBI. Highland was 2 for 5 with the RBI.

Sophomore Josh Hoguet, making his second start of the season, tossed six scoreless innings for the Cougars. The right-hander allowed just four hits and struck out seven.

Missouri State, 15-20, has now won three in a row.

SIUE is idle until Saturday when they travel to Clarksville, Tenn., for a three-game series with Austin Peay.

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