Mizzou baseball remains winless in SEC, falling to Florida in series opener
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A six-run first inning lifted the Florida Gators to a series-opening win over Mizzou in Gainesville, on Thursday night. The Tigers lost game one 11-2 to remain winless in Southeastern Conference.
With the loss, MU dropped to 12-21 overall and 0-13 in SEC play.
The pitching struggles continued for skipper Kerrick Jackson, as his staff let up 11 runs on 13 hits. Florida's attack at the dish was led by Luke Heyman, who hit a home run and drive in four runs.
Tiger starter Brady Kehlenbrink allowed five runs in the first inning, before an out was even recorded. He ended up throwing for 3.0 innings and allowing six earned runs on six hits. However, his relief didn't fair much better. St. Elizabeth alum Brock Lucas pitched the final 5.0 innings of action and allowed five earned runs on seven hits. Ultimately, Kehlenbrink was handed the loss to drop to 0-3 on the year.
Mizzou's only offense of the night came in the third inning, when doubles from Chris Patterson and Peyton Basler brought some life into the MU dugout. Basler lined an RBI double into right field to score Patterson for the first Tiger run of the game. Then, in that same inning, Cayden Nicoletto drew a bases-loaded walk to bring home the second Mizzou run of the game. However, the Tigers were still in a four-run hole at that point.
After that, Florida's offense added some cushion with a three-run fourth inning and the Gators never looked back.
Florida starter Liam Peterson pitched for five innings and only allowed those two earned runs on five hits. He also struck out seven Mizzou batters to earn the win.
Overall, Jackson's team left nine runners on base in the loss, going 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position.
Through 13 SEC games, the Mizzou pitching staff hasn't been able to figure it out, in part due to injury. The Tigers have a league-worst 8.93 ERA.
Up next - Mizzou will take another crack at getting that elusive first conference win of the season in game two against the Gators. First pitch is set for 5:30 p.m. on Friday, April 11.
