Tigers fight for Big 12 play against Texas Tech
The team will play host to Texas Tech in three-game series.
Published April 27, 2007
Texas Tech, you have been warned.
Freshman Trevor Coleman and the rest of the MU baseball team is sending a message to the Big 12: They won't go down quietly.
"We need to protect this field," Coleman said. "We need to come out and make sure that the Big 12 knows that it's hard to come to Columbia and win a series from us.
Something we need to do is take care of games at home. We need to come out and play solid defense, put up a lot of runs and good pitching. It's the recipe for every win."
With the MU baseball season winding down, each series left holds increased importance for the Tigers.
This weekend, MU will play host to Texas Tech for a three-game series. The series is crucial to MU's Big 12 position.
MU is ranked third in the Big 12 with a record of 9-6 in the conference.
Texas Tech is seventh in the conference with a 7-10 record in Big 12 play.
Last year, the Red Raiders swept the Tigers, but this weekend could be different.
MU coach Tim Jamieson said the team has the same goal this week that they have every week.
"We try to win two out of every three," Jamieson said. "That's our goal every week. Doesn't matter if it's Texas Tech or Nebraska, every series is important. Every game is important. You're fighting for a position in the conference, and you're also fighting for a post-season position. We've only got 12 conference games left, so every game is important."
MU leads Texas Tech in the conference standings and has performed better against its common opponents.
"I think (we match up) pretty well," Jamieson said. "I think the only thing you have to do is look at common opponents, and we've done better against the common opponents than they have. We're at home so we feel good about it."
The team has prepared for this series just like any other, junior Jacob Priday said.
"We do the same thing we do every Friday: come out, get ready to play and prepare for the team we're playing." Priday said. "We're going to watch film tomorrow and try to get a feel for what the guy has. We do that every week. We just keep the same routine."
Priday, who struggled early in the season, has increased his batting average, which is now at .270.
"I really haven't changed anything," Priday said. "I'm just seeing the ball better I'm feeling more confident up there. Mechanics wise, (I) haven't really changed a lot."
The starting rotation for the Tigers has changed with Sunday's starting pitcher yet to be announced.
Sophomores Aaron Crow and Rick Zagone will start Friday and Saturday, but Sunday's usual starter, freshman Greg Folgia, has struggled lately.
"Sunday will depend on who we use (from the bullpen) on Friday and Saturday," Jamieson said. "We used Folgia on Saturday at Baylor because we felt that was the best way to win on Saturday. We may do that again this weekend, or he may start on Sunday. He's not doing great, but he's still in the mix."
