COLUMBIA, Mo. (Interstat) — In a wild, back-and-forth contest that defied pregame projections, the Missouri Tigers staged a monumental comeback to defeat the Illinois-Chicago Flames 13-12 on Friday night at Taylor Stadium.

The game, a stark contrast to the Interstat simulator’s projection of a 7-3 Missouri win, saw the Flames erupt for 11 runs in the first three innings, only for the Tigers to chip away and ultimately secure the victory with a walk-off scenario avoided in the ninth.

Illinois-Chicago’s offense exploded in the second inning, sending 14 batters to the plate and scoring nine runs. Jake Busson was the catalyst, launching two home runs in the frame—a solo shot to right and a three-run blast to deep left. Will Smoot added a two-run single, and Lucas Smith and Thomas Curry contributed run-scoring hits and walks as the Flames built a commanding 11-1 lead. They added another run in the third on an RBI double from Smith.

Missouri began its methodical climb back in the fourth, capitalizing on an error by Flames shortstop Sean Cody to score three unearned runs, with RBIs from Eric Maisonet and Chris Patterson. Kam Durnin, who homered in the first, scored on a Maisonet groundout in the fifth to make it 12-5.

The Tigers’ relentless pursuit turned decisive in the sixth and seventh innings. In the sixth, Tyler Macon and Jase Woita delivered RBI groundout and single, respectively, before Cameron Benson’s two-run single cut the deficit to 12-9. In the seventh, Woita struck again, lacing a two-run double to right-center, scoring Isaiah Frost and Macon to bring Missouri within a single run.

The most important sequence of the game occurred in the bottom of the eighth inning. After Kaden Peer led off with a single, Benson connected for his first home run of the season, a two-run shot to deep right field that gave Missouri its first lead of the night at 13-12. The rally overturned what had once been an 11-run deficit.

Illinois-Chicago threatened in the ninth when Will Flanigan singled and was bunted to second, but Missouri reliever Sam Rosand, who entered in the seventh, got a flyout and a strikeout to end the game.

Missouri improved to 12-2 overall, while Illinois-Chicago fell to 4-8. The Tigers’ 17-hit attack was led by Chris Patterson, who went 3 for 4 with an RBI, a walk and three stolen bases. Benson finished with four RBIs. Woita drove in three, while Durnin and Macon each had three hits.

For the Flames, Busson’s two-homer, four-RBI day highlighted an 11-hit output. Smith went 3 for 6 with two doubles and two RBIs.

Missouri relievers Keagen Kohlhoff and Kadden Drew provided critical stability, combining for 4 1/3 scoreless innings after the early outburst. Kohlhoff struck out three. Illinois-Chicago’s bullpen, after starter Mason Lei threw four scoreless innings, could not hold the lead, allowing nine runs over the final five frames.

The two teams continue their series Saturday and Sunday at Taylor Stadium.