SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State sophomore Max Knight struck out nine in a four-inning save and added a solo home run to help the Bears top Evansville 7-2 and claim the series win Saturday afternoon at Hammons Field.
Knight’s nine strikeouts are the most by a Missouri State reliever since Sam Perez fanned that many against Illinois State on May 19, 2016. Perez also struck out 10 in relief a year prior at Saint Louis. Knight allowed just one hit in his third save of the season and logged his seventh game of the year with a pitching appearance and home run. He also helped the MSU bullpen run its scoreless streak to 17.2 innings.
The Bears (23-18, 13-4 Missouri Valley Conference) ended the day with a two-game lead in the league standings, while Evansville fell to 13-28 and 7-10 in Valley games…