SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Despite scoring a season-high five runs, SIUE baseball dropped the second game of a three-game series 12-5 Saturday at Missouri State.

The Cougars fell to 0-8. Missouri State is now 8-1.

"Today we showed improvement as a team, even if the score doesn't reflect that," SIUE Head Coach Tony Stoecklin Our energy was better and our confidence level was higher. Our approach at the plate was better today.

Conner Buenger (0-3) allowed five runs, two earned, on seven hits in a four-inning start. He struck out two and walked two.

"Conner went out and competed," Stoecklin said. "He made a few mistakes but overall he threw well."

The Cougars managed only five hits and couldn't take advantage of nine walks issued by Missouri State pitchers.

Jackson Layton was 1 for 4 and drove in two runs for SIUE. Layton put the Cougars on the board first in the second inning. He gave SIUE a 1-0 lead with a single to left field to score Jacob Stewart who walked to start the inning.

With the Cougars trailing 7-3 in the eighth, Layton drove in Aaron Jackson when he grounded out.

"Layton did a really good job," Stoecklin said. "He came up with a big hit in the first inning."

Alec Skender and Kailer Smith each were 1 for 3 with an RBI.  Skyler Geissinger was 0 for 2 but drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.

Missouri State first baseman Justin Paulsen led the Bears. With the Bears leading 7-5 in the eighth, Paulsen connected for a grand slam. He finished the day 3 for 5 with the four RBIs. Right fielder Blake Graham was 2 for 3 with three RBIs.

Ryan Mantle (1-0) earned the win in relief. He allowed a run on one hit in 2.1 innings.

The Cougars and Bears will finish the series with a 1:05 p.m. game Sunday at Hammons Field.

"All we're asking is that they go out and improve every game," Stoecklin said.