Mizzou drops second-straight game to Kansas, despite comeback
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Despite digging itself out of a six-run hole with an explosive eight-run fourth inning effort, the Mizzou baseball team fell short in Border War action. The Tigers lost to the Kansas Jayhawks 11-8 at Taylor Stadium, on Tuesday night.
With the loss, Kansas took both games over the MU in the month of March to complete the season series sweep.
Head coach Kerrick Jackson and his squad came into Tuesday night's game with revenge on the brain after suffering a run-rule loss at hands of the Jayhawks out in Lawrence a few weeks ago. However despite having some extra motivation, the Tigers still got out a rough start.
Through the first four innings, KU built up a six-run lead at Taylor Stadium, as Mizzou starting pitcher PJ Green and relief pitcher Jackson Sobel combined to give up those six runs on six hits, including three home runs.
However, as they have all season, the MU bats dialed up a response. In the home half of the fourth inning, catcher Juliomar Campos ignited a fire for Tigers with his first home run of the season to cut the deficit to four runs. That jolt of energy in Columbia seemed to rattle the KU pitching staff, as they proceeded to load up the bases to give Mizzou an even bigger opportunity.
With three on board, centerfielder Kaden Peer continued the Tigers' rally effort in the fourth inning. He knocked and RBI single down the third baseline to plate two more runs and make it a 6-4 ball game. But, it was a true freshman who would be the hero of the inning. With the bases remaining loaded, second baseman Blaize Ward cleared the bases and a three RBI triple down the right field line to give Mizzou its first lead of the night.
Donovan Jordan capped off that eight-run inning with an RBI double down the right-field line, bringing Ward in to score to give Mizzou an 8-6 lead.
Despite the miraculous comeback, though, Kansas wasn't done terrorizing Mizzou at the plate. After cutting it back to a one-run game courtesy of an unearned run in the fifth, KU put up four runs in the eighth to grab an 11-8, highlighted by a three-run homer.
Although left-handed pitcher Juan Villarreal was able to record the final four outs for the Tigers, tossing 1.1 innings of scoreless ball, Mizzou's bats went cold in the most important moment.
Up next - Coach Jackson and company will head out to Lexington for a three-game set against No. 24 Kentucky. The series opener is set for Friday at 5:30 p.m. CT.
