Illinois (12-10) nearly dug its way out of an early 9-0 deficit, but a late comeback fell short as Missouri (9-14) beat the Illini in the annual baseball 'Braggin' Rights Game' 11-9 at Grizzlies Ballpark in Sauget, Illinois. 

The Illini got three home runs, which were highlighted by Collin Jennings' grand slam in the sixth. Vytas Valincius homered in the seventh, a two-run shot. Jacob Schroeder led off the eighth with a solo blast. 

After being held to just two hits through the first five innings, Illinois got themselves back into the game with six runs in the sixth. Grant Ross started the inning with a walk. Jack Zebig and Kyle Schupmann followed with back-to-back singles to load the bases. Jennings cleared them with a grand slam, his fourth of the season, to make it 9-4. With two outs, Valincius scored on a wild pitch and Greg LaChance collected an RBI-infield single to make it 9-6.

The Tigers got a run back in the top of the seventh, but Valincius' two-run homer in the home half of the frame made it 10-8.

The two sides would trade runs in the eighth, the Illini getting theirs on an opposite-field shot from Schroeder to make it 11-9.

Zebig started the ninth with a walk, giving Illinois three chances with the tying run at the plate, but were unable to get anything going in the inning, taking the 11-9 defeat.

Nine different Illini took the mound in the contest, getting scoreless appearances from Nolan Girard, Jake Swartz, Reed Gannon, and Zach Bates.

Valincius finished 2-for-5 with a double, home run, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Coltin Quagliano was 2-for-4 with a double and a run. 

The Fighting Illini return to Big Ten play on Friday when they begin a three-game set at Michigan State at McLane Stadium in East Lansing.