Hardoin puts Bulldogs on leash
Not even the rain could phase Zack Hardoin in Missouri’s 5-2 win over Gonzaga Tuesday night.
The senior lefty was nearly unhittable, easing through the Bulldogs’ lineup as well as a constant, biting rain. Hardoin tossed 6.2 innings, allowing only two hits and one earned run. He held a no-hitter going into the sixth inning, before finally conceding a bunt single to Gonzaga centerfielder Chris Sturdivant. For a Missouri team that had given up an average of 8.1 runs over its first ten games, this kind of performance was a welcome relief.
The Tigers’ bats gave Hardoin an early lead, one that he never relinquished. The scoring started in the bottom of the first inning, when Gonzaga starter Billy Moon walked Ben Turner with the bases loaded, scoring Missouri leftfielder Blake Brown.
The Tigers piled on in the third inning, tacking on four runs behind RBI singles from Turner, Scott Sommerfeld, and Jesse Santo. This barrage marked the end for Moon, who gave up five hits, five walks and five runs (only one earned) in three innings of work.
With a 5-1 lead in the seventh inning, coach Tim Jamieson handed off the reins to relievers Dusty Ross and Phil McCormick, who combined to throw 2.1 innings of hitless baseball. McCormick earned the save and also notched his eighth appearance of the season, most on the team as well as the Big 12 conference.
The Tigers will attempt to sweep the two-game series when they take on the Bulldogs on Wednesday at Taylor Stadium.