It took a few games, but freshman pitcher Michael Plassmeyer finally found success pitching at the collegiate level.
In front of 1,044 fans at Taylor Stadium, Plassmeyer took on Auburn (15–17, 3–9 SEC), the Southeastern Conference’s top offense, and dominated. His performance was good enough for Missouri to squeak by with a 4–3 victory. With the win, Missouri (20–14, 4–8 SEC) won the series, marking its second SEC series win in a row.
Plassmeyer, who came into the game with 15 strikeouts on the season, struck out Auburn’s first four hitters to start the game. He would finish the game with five strikeouts.
“I thought he was even better today than he was against Arkansas,” coach Tim Jamieson said. “He made better pitches against a better offensive team.”
Plassmeyer continued his hot start for almost six innings, not allowing a run while only surrendering three hits in his best outing of the season.
“Before I was trying to be a little too perfect,” Plassmeyer said. “I felt that I was giving hitters too much respect and just kind of got back to throwing strikes the way I got here.”
Missouri’s offense gave Plassmeyer an early lead to work with when senior first baseman Zach Lavy roped a single up the middle to score junior center fielder Jake Ring. In the next inning, sophomore catcher Brett Bond crushed a homerun over the Missouri bullpen, driving in freshman designated hitter Brian Sharp.
Missouri ran into trouble as the game wore on, allowing one run in the seventh inning and then getting into a jam with runners on second and third with only one out in the eighth. Senior pitcher Austin Tribby got Missouri out of the situation but allowed a run in the process.
After sophomore left fielder Trey Harris drove in a run in the bottom of the eighth, Missouri once again found itself in trouble in the ninth.
Tribby allowed two runners to get on base while only recording one out. Then, senior shortstop Cody Nulph smacked a single up the middle, scoring senior left fielder Jackson Burgreen to make it a 4–3 game.
With that, Jamieson went to his bullpen for the final time, bringing in Sharp.
Sharp came in and did his best to imitate fellow freshman Plassmeyer, shutting the door on Auburn by striking out the two batters he faced. With that, Missouri secured its 20th win of the season and second straight SEC series victory.
“It’s nice to win one at home and take advantage of being at home,” Jamieson said. “I thought we played really well today.”
The Tigers will travel down to Springfield on Tuesday to take on No. 21 Missouri State. The game can be viewed on SEC Network+ and heard on KTGR 1580 AM/100.5 FM.
