It was another unsuccessful series for the Missouri baseball team (13-22, 5-13 Southeastern Conference) as they lost two of three games at home against No. 19 Florida.
The Tigers now own the worst record in the conference and are one win ahead of Georgia in SEC games. Only 12 of the league’s 14 teams advance to the conference tournament May 22 in Hoover, Ala.
Sunday’s game was the bright spot for the weekend for Missouri, as the squad dismantled the Gators 8-2.
The game started with a blast from the bat of sophomore outfielder Logan Pearson, who delivered the first pitch Missouri saw over the right field wall and finished three for four at the dish with a triple.
Sophomore outfielder Case Munson reached on a single and later scored on junior Dylan Kelly’s base knock.
Kelly swung the big stick on the day, going three for four with two RBIs and a run scored. The everyday catcher continues to pace the team with his .328 batting average and has hit one dinger and driven in 20 runs.
In the fifth, the Gators (22-19, 10-8 SEC) emerged with a tally off redshirt junior Jake Walsh to narrow the lead 2-1. Walsh, who was credited with the win, hurled 3.2 innings with one strikeout and an earned run, relieving freshman starter Alec Rash, who threw three scoreless frames.
Missouri blew open the lead in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings, driving in two runs apiece per frame. Sophomore reliever John Miles held the lead with 2.1 innings of work and no runs.
Florida’s Tucker Simpson took the loss after tossing 2.2 innings with one earned run. The Gators went through four pitchers during the game, as the Tigers outhit their guests, 14-7.
Prior to Sunday’s offensively charged game, the Tigers were averaging 3.8 runs a contest.
Missouri could not capture the series, as Florida took Friday and Saturday’s games. The Gators won Saturday’s contest in 15 innings, 4-3, after the Tigers gave up a 3-0 lead.
On Friday, Florida defeated Missouri 8-6 again, after overcoming a deficit. This time a 4-1 Tiger lead. Friday-night starter junior Rob Zastryzny suffered the loss, extending his team-worst record to 2-7. On the year, Zastryzny has a 4.22 ERA with 59.2 innings pitched, 53 strikeouts and a mere 18 walks.
Missouri has decided to cancel its game against Murray State today due to forecasted rain. Missouri will play in-state rival Missouri State on Wednesday at home at 6 p.m.
This weekend, the Tigers will square up against Auburn (24-16, 6-12 SEC) at home.