Eastern senior first baseman Tristan Facer started the top of the ninth inning like junior second baseman Jordan Tokarz ended the first inning.

It was a solo home run.

Facer pulled a 0-2 pitch over the wall in left-center field to bring the Panthers within two runs, but Missouri closer junior Scooter Hicks got three straight-outs to secure the Tigers’ 8-6 win Monday night in O’Fallon, Mo.

The Tigers (29-10) are ranked in the top 10 in three national polls and ranked fourth by baseballamerica.com.

“The home run in the ninth had to be 490 feet,” said Eastern head coach Jim Schmitz. “It’s one of the furthest balls I’ve seen hit and into a steady wind. Just an awesome display of power.”

Eastern (18-19) battled back from a 7-1 deficit after Missouri chased the Panthers’ starting pitcher freshman Josh Mueller with two outs in the bottom of the first inning. Mueller, who made a rare midweek start, gave up all seven first-inning runs on four hits and four walks.

Schmitz said the home plate umpire’s strike zone was tight, and Mueller (4-4) didn’t get some of the calls he was used to getting.

“He wasn’t getting pitches and, therefore, he was behind,” Schmitz said. “Normally, he does a really, really good job if it’s not a great inning of regrouping a little bit. Obviously, they’re a really good team and, obviously, he’s a little nervous about the situation.”

The Panthers scored one run in the second inning and three more in the top of the third inning to pull within two runs at 7-5. Two of the three runs in the third came on a triple by Tokarz.

Schmitz said Eastern’s hitters stayed back in the batter’s box and was able to get hits. He said the close game against a tough opponent was a good confidence builder.

Eastern returns to action against Bradley with a 6 p.m. start at O’Brien Field – home to the Class A Peoria Chiefs – in Peoria.

Scott Richey can be reached at 581-7944 or at srrichey@eiu.edu.