March 1, 2006
Box Score
COLUMBIA, Mo. -
The No. 20 Missouri Tigers were too much for the Illinois State Redbirds on Wednesday, as the Tigers racked up 18 runs on 19 hits on way to a 18-5 win in the team's home opener at Simmons Field. Illinois State (0-5) has now dropped its first five contests, while the Tigers have improved to 6-4 overall in 2006.
Junior Dan Frega (0-2) picked up his second loss of the season, after pitching just two innings and giving up the Tigers' first two runs of the afternoon. Missouri reliever Rick Zagone (1-0) earned the victory after striking out three batters and giving up just two hits in an inning and a third of work.
The Tigers wasted no time getting the lead in their home opener, scoring a run in the bottom of the first inning. After loading the bases with no outs off of ISU starter Dan Frega, Derek Chambers' grounder to second base scored Trevor Helms to give Missouri the early lead at 1-0. However, Frega would battle and get the next two outs to preserve the one run deficit.
The Redbirds would pick up their starter in the top half of the next inning, though, scoring a run on three hits to tie the score 1-1. Matt Bolt led off the inning with a sharp single to left field and Kyle O'Brien followed with a line single to center field. Nick Crist was the next batter, but could not keep the hitting streak alive as he grounded into a 1-6-3 double play to give Missouri two outs with Bolt safe at third. Jesse Griswold then came up and ripped a single through the left side of the Tiger infield to score Bolt for his fifth RBI of the season.
The Tigers would continue to score runs in each of the next three innings, eventually jumping out to a 7-1 lead. Mizzou added a run in the bottom of the second off Frega, two more in the bottom of the third off reliever Mike Hlavecek and then added three runs on two hits in the bottom of the fourth to continue their offensive spree.
ISU was not done though, as the `Birds put four runs on the scoreboard with two outs in the top of the fifth inning. Kris Jenkins got the rally started with a walk and advanced to second on a pinch-hit single by Kevin Dubler. Ryan Anetsberger followed with a single to load the bases for Bolt. Bolt came through with a hard single past the pitcher to record his first two RBI of the season and cut the Tiger lead to 7-3. Crist was up next and made up for hitting into the double play in the second inning, as he doubled down the third base line to score Anetsberger and Bolt to bring the score to 7-5.
Unfortunately, the Tigers were not done and put six more runs on the scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth inning to take a 13-5 lead. The inning was highlighted by a 10-pitch at bat by Tiger designated hitter John McKee, which included six consecutive foul balls, that resulted in a three-run home run to deep right-center field. Mizzou would also add three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, which extended the lead to 16-5. The Tigers wrapped up the game by scoring two runs in the bottom of the eighth, their seventh inning in which they scored, and brought the final score to 18-5.
Bolt and Christ led the way for the Redbirds with two RBI apiece. Zane Taylor and Gary Arndt each had three hits apiece while McKee finished with four RBI in the game for the Tigers.
The Redbirds will use Thursday as a travel day and make the long trip to face the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles over the weekend in Hattiesburg, Miss. Freshman Ian Berger (0-1) will take the mound for Friday's game against the Golden Eagles, with the first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CST at Pete Taylor Park/Hill Denson Field.
