Unfortunately, on Wednesday afternoon against Florida International, Missouri’s bullpen proved to be its weakest point against inferior competition once again. Fortunately for the Tigers, their offensive attack staked the pen out to a 7–1 lead, which was just enough. Despite a furious late-game rally from FIU (1–4), Mizzou (3–2) held on for a 7–6 win.

After a sluggish back half to its opening series against Seton Hall, Mizzou got back into a groove at the plate. The Tigers pounded out 11 hits, including eight in the first three innings alone.

Following a scoreless first, Mizzou tacked FIU junior southpaw Cody Crouse (L, 0–1) for three runs on five hits to open up the scoring in the second. Tigers sophomore catcher Brett Bond (2 for 4, HR) led the inning off with his first home run of the season. On the KTGR broadcast, Tex Little said the wind helped carry the ball over the left field fence. Wind speeds were between 15 and 20 mph throughout most of the game.

Later in the inning, freshman left fielder Connor Brumfield (1 for 4, 2 RBI) collected his first collegiate RBI with a base knock down the left field line and junior shortstop Ryan Howard (2 for 4) singled through the right side to extend the lead to 3–0. Howard has reached base safely in all five games this season.

In the third, freshman two-way player Brian Sharp (1 for 3, 2 RBI), serving as the designated hitter today, singled to right to bring home a pair and give Mizzou some breathing room at 5–1. It was the first base hit of Sharp’s career. He later appeared on the mound for the Tigers in a tight situation.

The Tigers added on two more runs in the fifth, courtesy of a RBI single from senior first baseman Zach Lavy (1 for 4, 2 R) and Bond, to make it 7–1. However, that’s where things started to turn sour.

After redshirt sophomore Cole Bartlett, senior southpaw Austin Tribby and freshman lefty Ty Shoaff (W, 1–0) combined to allow just one run through 5.1 innings, the Tigers’ next three relievers quickly allowed FIU to creep back into the game. Freshman Graham Ruopp, sophomore Nolan Gromacki and redshirt freshman Liam Carter surrendered five runs (all earned) on eight hits in just two combined innings of work. A two-run blast to left by Panthers’ junior outfielder Kenny Meimerstorf (2 for 5, HR, 2 RBI) brought FIU to within a run after trailing by six.

However, Sharp was able to shut the door for a five-out save. He maneuvered his way out of a two jams. First, in the eighth inning, he entered the game with the tying run on third and one out, but induced a pop-out and groundout to end the threat.

Then, in the ninth, the tying run reached second, but Sharp ended the game with a pop out to first. It was the first save of his career and third consecutive scoreless appearance for Sharp out of the pen.

With the win, Mizzou ended its two-game skid. The Tigers will begin a four-game set with Hofstra (0–3) on Friday.