Sports Shorts
Published Feb. 13, 2007
Baseball sweeps Florida International
The MU baseball team is off to a fresh start in 2007 after sweeping Florida International University in the season opener in Miami. The win marks the first time since 1999 the Tigers started the season 3-0. The pitching was the surprise of the weekend in the sweep.
After losing pitchers Max Scherzer and Nathan Culp to the major league draft, the pitching staff was concerned for Missouri, but the Tigers' rotation looked solid against the Golden Panthers. Sophomore Rick Zagone gave up two runs on seven hits in his five-inning stint on Friday and was relieved by newcomers Kyle Gibson, Ian Berger and Lendsey Thomson, who gave up four runs in the 12-6 win.
The win on Friday marked coach Tim Jamieson's 400th career win as the Tigers' skipper, making him one of only three coaches in MU baseball history to achieve that honor.
Some new Tigers also helped at the plate. Freshman Aaron Senne was 3-for-3 on Friday night, with three RBIs and one run scored. Senior shortstop Gary Arndt and junior catcher Dan Pietroburgo each recorded three hits. The offense exploded in the seventh inning, when Missouri sent 11 hitters to the plate to score seven runs and push the game out of reach.
The seventh inning was the Tigers' lucky inning again on Saturday when sophomore Ryan Lollis blasted a grand slam to push the Tigers past FIU 15-7. In the final three innings, Missouri scored 13 runs to take the lead. Junior designated hitter Jacob Priday had a solo homer in the third inning, despite not being healthy enough to play in the outfield.
Gibson's perfect three innings of relief capped Sunday's game to earn him his first save in the 3-2 pitchers' duel. Gibson recorded five strikeouts and retired all nine batters he faced. Junior John Thies started the game, but the win went to Berger who pitched 1 2/3 innings of relief.
The Tigers will take on Arizona State on Thursday in Tempe, Ariz., and will be at the Coca-Cola Classic Friday and Saturday, in Surprise, Ariz.
Tiger softball team starts hot, finishes cold
The Tiger softball team (2-3) started play last weekend at the Easton Tiger Classic in Baton Rouge, La. Missouri beat Centenary College 8-1 and Middle Tennessee State 8-3. But the Tigers struggled against Louisiana State, losing 7-1, and also losing to Memphis twice, 9-3 and 7-3.
Senior catcher Kathy Masterson was named to the all-tournament team after hitting .583 with two doubles and a triple in the classic. Sophomore Andee Allen also added some fire to the offense by hitting .455 with two doubles and five runs scored.
Junior outfielder Micaela Minner also provided a contribution by batting .429 and knocking in four runs throughout the tournament. Against Centenary and Middle Tennessee State, the Tigers combined for 19 hits and 16 runs in the two wins. But in the three losses, MU could only muster 20 hits and seven runs total.
The true test in the tournament was against host No. 7 LSU. LSU shut down MU offensively, allowing one run on six hits and knocked around Tiger freshman Jana Hainey, who fell to 0-1 on the season after allowing five runs on 11 hits. Missouri will play a doubleheader at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Wednesday at University Field against Missouri-Kansas City.
