Missouri sought to earn their first conference victory of the win against the Florida Gators. The Tigers put up a valiant effort, but ultimately fell to 0-15 in conference play this season.
Game 1
Florida struck first in game one, as the Gators scored five before the Tigers could record an out. The poor start resulted in a 6-0 deficit in the first inning for the Tigers to dig themselves out of.
Starting pitcher and freshman Brady Kehlenbrink stayed in the game after allowing the quick six runs, exiting the mound after three innings. Kehlenbrink shook off the rough start, and allowed zero runs or hits over the next two innings.
Junior Brock Lucas took the mound in place of Kehlenbrink, and didn’t fare well against the Gators’ bats. Lucas allowed five runs and seven hits through his eight innings pitched along with only two strikeouts.
The Tigers’ hitting struggled as well, as junior Gehrig Goldbeck led the way going 2-for-4. The Tigers earned two runs, both coming in the third inning thanks to a two-run RBI double from junior Peyton Basler.
As a result of their lackluster hitting and inconsistent pitching, the Tigers lost 11-2 in eight innings.
Game 2
This game served as the first part of a doubleheader on Saturday. The Tigers kept it close early thanks to senior starting pitcher Kaden Jacobi. Jacobi allowed two runs through his first five innings pitched, and ended his day allowing three runs and five hits in just over five total innings pitched.
His strong effort was for naught, as the Tigers didn’t earn a run through the entire seven run contest. Missouri only mustered four total hits, with senior Pierre Seals being the only standout, going 1-for-2 at the plate and drawing a walk.
The game was ultimately put away in the bottom of the sixth as the Gators scored three runs. Junior Justin Nadeua knocked an RBI single and senior Bobby Boser capped it off with a two-run RBI double. This resulted in a 5-0 loss for the Tigers.
Game 3
This game was the closest that the Tigers have been to a conference win all season, largely due to some outstanding pitching from junior Tony Neubeck.
Neubeck allowed one hit along with gaining two strikeouts in just over two innings of work, before graduate student Xavier Lovett stepped in for the last four innings. Lovett allowed two hits heading into the bottom of the seventh, which both scored thanks to a two-run shot from junior Blake Cyr.
The Tigers similarly capitalized on their small amount of hits with two of their four total hits leaving the yard. Seals homered in the second, and senior Cayden Nicoletto earned his fifth home run of the season, sending it over the fence.
The Tigers’ hopes were crushed, however, as the Gators walked it off with their fourth hit of the day, winning 3-2 in seven innings.
Next Matchup
The Tigers now sit at 12-23 after defeating the Missouri State University Bears 10-9. Their next matchup will be a three game series against the Oklahoma Sooners starting on Thursday, April 17 at Taylor Stadium in Columbia, Missouri.
Edited by Killian Wright | kwright@themaneater.com
Copyedited by Ava Mohror | amohror@themaneater.com
Edited by Annie Goodykoontz | agoodykoontz@themaneater.com
