Tigers strike back against Flames
Patience is a virtue. At least, that’s what Missouri showed during their 11-4 win over UIC on Saturday night.
The Tigers took advantage of 15 walks handed out by Flames pitchers Charlie Weinberg, Tim Suminski, Collin Weyer, and Clint Terry to claim the 2nd of the day’s doubleheader. Weinberg, UIC’s starter, was chased from the game after 1.2 innings pitched, having conceded 2 earned runs, 2 hits, and 6 walks. The sophomore righty hurled 60 pitches before his day ended in the second inning.
But as bad as the Flames’ pitching was, the Tigers’ Rob Zastryzny was just as good. The highly touted freshman lefty from Corpus Christi, Texas, threw 5.1 innings of 4-hit baseball, giving up only 2 earned runs and striking out 4. Zastryzny lowered his ERA to an impressive 3.38 through 3 starts this season, and seems to be improving with every appearance.
On the offensive side, Tiger hitters were efficient when they needed to be, driving in the base runners that UIC pitchers had walked. St. Louis native Jonah Schmidt led the Tigers with 3 hits and two RBI, including a towering two-run double that opened the floodgates in the first inning. Brannon Champagne and Jesse Santo also impressed, each contributing two hits and two RBI.
The Tigers will be back in action tomorrow at noon, as they hope to take the rubber match of the three game series.