At this time of the year in Columbia, the smell of freshly cut grass intermingling with the aroma of ballpark brats can only mean one thing: Missouri Tiger baseball is back in full-swing at Taylor Stadium.

Absent only of the ideal blue-skies setting, Taylor Stadium played host to UIC this past weekend in the Tigers’ return to their home mound. Although the 40-degree overcast failed to offer the warmest of welcomes, the Missouri coaches, players and fans made themselves more than cozy in the stadium they call home.

“It was definitely good to be back at home, in front of our own crowd and in our own backyard,” senior infielder Jesse Santo said.

The Tigers returned to take their lumps in a chilled and rainy weekend series with the visiting UIC. The Tiger bats seemed to match the cold environment in dropping two of the three games of a series cut short by Friday’s opening night rain-out.

“We’re all cold,” coach Tim Jamieson said. “It’s more about the choices you make. We have to be tougher.”

Some of the players reflect Jamieson’s approach of making an effort to ignore the cold.

“I don’t really feel the cold weather,” freshman pitcher Rob Zastryzny said. “I’m not really used to it, coming from South Texas. (But) I didn’t really focus on it.”

The targeted toughness will have to come now for the Tigers to have success on their home field. A unique blocked schedule sets the Tigers up with five series’ and 18 games over a 24-day span. Following this weekend’s visit from UIC, the Tigers will play host to Gonzaga, Le Moyne, Central Michigan, Central Arkansas and Oklahoma – all before the calendar turns to April.

Many of the Tigers fans embrace the extended stay at home.

“It’s always nice to play at home, when you get in front of your home crowd,” senior right fielder Jonah Schmidt said. “We get to practice here every day. You feel real comfortable playing here, so it’s always nice.”

With only three more short home stands totaling 11 games remaining after the current stretch concludes, the time is now for the Tigers to make the most of playing at Taylor Stadium.

“When you’re at home, you want to protect your house,” Zastryzny said.

The Tigers find themselves struggling to heat up on their own at just 3-7, having dropped all three series’ thus far. An attempt to turn the corner must come right at home – and that’s exactly how the Tigers want to turn things around.

As Jamieson put it, “It’s always best to play at home.”