After dropping its first seven games to open up Southeastern Conference play, Missouri (17–13, 2–7 SEC) earned a critical pair of road victories over the Arkansas Razorbacks (19–9, 4–5 SEC). Mizzou blew an early lead in the series opener but then bounced back for wins in the final two games to earn its first road series win over a top-20 team since March 2014. Here’s what we learned:
**Michael Plassmeyer turned in an important dominant outing**
Freshman southpaw Michael Plassmeyer began the season in a rough patch, compiling a 1–2 record in his first five starts. However, his 3.2 shutout innings against the Razorbacks in the series finale were critical to him gaining confidence going forward. Plassmeyer allowed four hits and commanded the strike zone, fanning five batters and walking just one as the Tigers cruised to a 10–1 win. With senior Austin Tribby delivering a mixed bag so far in his first year as a starter, Plassmeyer’s development could be key to the Tigers’ building rotational depth behind the 1-2 punch of redshirt senior Reggie McClain and sophomore Tanner Houck.
**Stability in bullpen key**
Mizzou’s bullpen was a weak point at the start of the season, when many inexperienced relievers showed growing pains. However, the Tigers’ pen was dialed in over the weekend, allowing a single run over 11 combined innings of work. Tribby earned his first save of the season on Saturday, and freshman Brian Sharp picked up his fourth save of 2016 on Sunday. Redshirt freshmen Cole Bartlett and Liam Carter, along with sophomore Nolan Gromacki, also saw action.
**Power surge is coming around**
The long ball has been important for the Tigers this year. Mizzou is 7–2 in 2016 when hitting at least one home run. In the three-game set against Arkansas, they smacked four. Sophomore third baseman Shane Benes showed off his strength by belting home runs in back-to-back games, pushing his season total to four. Meanwhile, sophomore catcher Brett Bond, who had been in a funk, hit his third of the season in the series opener. Junior right fielder Kirby McGuire recorded his first of the year in the 10–1 rout in the finale.
**Next up**
The Tigers will return to Taylor Stadium to begin a four-game home stand on Tuesday night with a non-conference battle against Southern Illinois-Edwardsville. Mizzou continues its conference play with a three-game set against the Auburn Tigers, with the series opener set for 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
_Edited by Alec Lewis | alewis@themaneater.com_
