MURRAY, Ky. (Interstat) — Mason Lei pitched seven strong innings as Illinois-Chicago routed Southern Illinois 11-1 in a Missouri Valley Conference game Thursday afternoon at Reagan Field.

Lei allowed one earned run on five hits and struck out eight without issuing a walk. The right-hander improved to 6-2 on the season after his third consecutive quality start. He previously threw six scoreless innings in a win over Bradley on May 14 and seven shutout frames against Illinois State on May 8.

The Flames improved to 25-27 overall and broke a two-game losing streak. The Salukis fell to 24-31.

Illinois-Chicago erupted for four home runs, including a two-run blast by Thomas Curry in the first inning that put the Flames ahead for good. Curry finished 2 for 4 with four RBIs. Ashton Kampa, the designated hitter, went 1 for 2 with a three-run homer in the fourth inning that stretched the lead to 6-1. Jake Busson was 2 for 2 with a two-run homer in the sixth inning, and Will Flanigan added a solo shot in the second inning as part of a 2-for-2, two-run performance.

Southern Illinois scored its lone run in the top of the second inning. Michael Mylott singled to lead off, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and advanced to third on a single by Tim Simay. Jacob McKenzie then singled through the left side to drive in Mylott, cutting the deficit to 2-1.

Flanigan answered immediately with his solo homer in the bottom half to restore a two-run cushion.

The Salukis had runners on base in the third inning when Kristian Sprawling singled with one out, but was caught stealing second after Kye Watson and Julio Guerrero struck out. Mylott singled again in the fourth but was erased on a fielder’s choice.

Illinois-Chicago broke the game open in the fourth inning. Sean Cody reached on a bunt single and advanced to second on a throwing error by Southern Illinois pitcher Troy Shepard. Flanigan walked, and Gavin Acosta grounded out to move both runners into scoring position. Kampa then crushed a 1-0 pitch over the fence in right field for a three-run homer, making it 6-1.

Shepard, who started for the Salukis, was charged with 10 earned runs in 5 2/3 innings despite striking out three. He allowed eight hits and walked three. Blake Kimball relieved Shepard and allowed Busson’s two-run homer before getting the final out of the sixth.

The Flames added four more runs in the sixth. With one out, Flanigan singled, advanced to second on a wild pitch and to third on a throwing error on a failed pickoff attempt. Acosta walked, Kampa walked to load the bases, and Lucas Smith grounded out to shortstop to drive in Flanigan. Curry followed with a two-run single through the left side, scoring Kampa and Acosta. Busson then greeted Kimball with a home run to left center, scoring Curry and making it 11-1.

The game went final after seven innings due to the mercy rule.

Southern Illinois’ offense was held to five hits. Mylott had two of them, going 2 for 3. McKenzie drove in the lone run. The Salukis struck out 11 times.

Illinois-Chicago collected nine hits. Lucas Smith was 0 for 4 but drove in a run on a groundout. Thomas Curry and Jake Busson each homered, and the Flames drew five walks.

The loss was the first for Southern Illinois in its last six games. The Salukis had won five straight since a 14-3 defeat to Indiana State on May 3.

Illinois-Chicago had dropped two of its previous three games before Thursday’s victory.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Southern Illinois 7, Illinois-Chicago 6, and the Interstat ELO system gave Southern Illinois a 54.00 percent probability to win.