COLUMBIA, Mo. (Interstat) — Josh McDevitt dominated over five scoreless innings and Cameron Benson drove in three runs as Missouri completed a series victory with a 7-0 win over Illinois-Chicago on Saturday at Taylor Stadium.

The Tigers (13-2) clinched the three-game set after narrowly winning the first two contests by a single run. The Flames (4-9) were shut out for the first time this season, managing just four hits against five Missouri pitchers.

The most important sequence of the game came in the bottom of the fifth inning, effectively extinguishing any lingering hope for the visitors. Already leading 4-0, Missouri’s Kaden Peer led off the frame with a double. Benson followed by launching a two-run homer to right field, his second of the season, to extend the lead to 6-0. The Tigers were not done, as Eric Maisonet walked, stole second and scored on Jamal George’s RBI double to make it 7-0. The three-run outburst provided more than enough cushion for a stout Missouri bullpen.

McDevitt, the top star for Missouri, set the tone early. The right-hander allowed just one hit—a fifth-inning single by Sean Cody—while striking out seven and walking three. He worked out of his only significant jam in the third inning, stranding the bases loaded by fanning Will Flanigan to preserve a 2-0 lead.

Missouri’s offense gave McDevitt immediate support in the first inning against Flames starter Brandon Bak. Tyler Macon led off with a double and scored on Jase Woita’s single. After a wild pitch, Woita came home on Benson’s first RBI single of the day.

The Tigers added two more in the third. Woita walked and Kam Durnin doubled before Peer tripled to center field, driving both runners home for a 4-0 advantage.

Following McDevitt’s departure, the Missouri bullpen continued the shutout. Isaiah Salas allowed one hit over two innings with one strikeout. Keyler Gonzalez worked a perfect eighth, and Dane Bjorn closed it out in the ninth, striking out two despite allowing two singles.

For Illinois-Chicago, Bak took the loss, surrendering seven runs on nine hits over 4 1/3 innings. The Flames’ bullpen provided a bright spot, as Aidan Terronez, Bobby Barrera and Payton Barton combined for 4 1/3 perfect innings of relief with four strikeouts. Terronez was particularly sharp, striking out three of the five batters he faced after entering with the bases loaded in the fifth.

The Flames threatened only twice. They loaded the bases with two outs in the third against McDevitt but could not score. In the seventh, they put runners on first and second with one out, but James Hackett was thrown out at the plate on Vidal Colon’s single to right field.

Missouri’s offense was paced by Benson, who went 2-for-4 with the home run and three RBIs. Peer finished 2-for-5 with two RBIs, and Macon had two doubles.

The teams conclude the series on Sunday. Illinois-Chicago will look to avoid the sweep before heading to Northwestern on Tuesday. Missouri, riding a three-game win streak, will aim for a perfect weekend before hosting Southern Indiana next week.