A sloppy eighth inning broke a 2-2 tie and gave Illinois a 6-3 win against Southern Illinois on Wednesday.

The Illini (23-19, 7-8 Big Ten) picked up four runs on one play when sophomore left fielder Dan Rowbottom doubled to left with the bases loaded and came around to score on an error.

The Salukis (25-19-1, 6-6 Missouri Valley Conference) scored a run on a double by sophomore second baseman Connor Kopach with nobody out in the ninth inning, but senior lefty J.D. Nielsen slammed the door on the Dawgs for his fifth save of the season.

Freshman right-hander Brendan Meissner (1-0, 3,86 ERA) earned his first career win with an inning of one-run relief.

Junior right-hander Jacob Williams (1-3, 3.54 ERA) took the loss for SIU. He allowed all three batters he faced to reach before giving way to freshman lefty Austin Covers, who allowed the double to Rowbottom.

Rowbottom tied for a game high with two hits and led all players with four RBIs. 

The Salukis travel to Missouri State for a three-game series starting at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Hammons Field in Springfield, Mo.

Thomas Donley can be reached at [email protected] or at 618-536-3307