After a walk-off win Friday night, Missouri was unable to carry over its momentum in the first game of a Saturday doubleheader against Illinois-Chicago. The Flames knocked off the Tigers 4–2.

Sophomore Tanner Houck started the game for the Tigers. The Illinois native threw seven innings, striking out six and allowing four runs (three earned).

Mizzou was the first team to score, pushing across a run in the bottom of the first inning. Freshman Connor Brumfield opened the frame with a walk and ultimately scored on a single by sophomore third baseman Shane Benes.

UIC took the lead in the third inning. Houck struck out Wyatt Mascarella to start the frame, but the Flames catcher reached first on a dropped third strike. The Missouri starter then hit UIC’s Tyler Murphy. With one out, Joe Rossi doubled, scoring Mascarella. Scott Ota singled in two more runs to give the Flames a 3–1 lead.

The Tigers’ struggles continued in the fifth. A rare error by shortstop Ryan Howard brought home Tommy Field, making the score 4–1.

Missouri got a run back in the bottom of the inning. Back-to-back singles by senior first baseman Zach Lavy and freshman second baseman Ian Nelson put runners on the corners for Brumfield, who then drove in Lavy with a ground ball to second.

The bullpen was strong for the Tigers. Ty Shoaff and Liam Carter did not allow UIC to score in a combined two innings of work.

Catcher Brett Bond singled with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. Lavy followed with a single, putting the tying run on first base. Nelson, however, struck out to end the game, ending the Tigers’ hopes.

UIC’s Jake Dahlberg picked up the win, hurling seven innings of two-run ball. Houck was the losing pitcher.