Mizzou upsets No. 6 Florida in walk-off fashion

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Jedier Hernandez was the hero under the lights at Taylor Stadium on Friday night. The junior catcher delivered an RBI single in extra innings to seal a 2-1 upset win over No. 6 Florida in the series opener.

Friday's win marked Mizzou's second victory over a ranked opponent this season.

After Jeric Curtis lined a leadoff triple down the right field line in the opening frame, Jackson Beaman grounded into a fielder's choice to put the Tigers on the scoreboard first. Mizzou held that 1-0 for the first seven frames of the game but was unable to extend it. The Tigers left 18 runners on base and finished 2-for-17 with runners in scoring position.

Logan Lunceford kept that lead safe throughout his six scoreless innings of work. The sophomore right-hander pitched a gem, striking out eight batters and allowing just one hit.

Carter Rustad relieved Lunceford in the seventh inning and pitched five solid innings. The Kansas City native tossed four scoreless frames, posting five strikeouts and giving up just one hit. However, that one hit was critical for the Gators. Luke Heyman blasted a towering solo home run to left field to tie the game in the eighth inning.

Mizzou started to rally three frames later. Jackson Lovich stretched a single into a double to put himself in scoring position with just one out in the 11th inning, and Hernandez capitalized in his next at-bat, finding a hole on the left side of the infield to bring home Lovich for the walk-off victory.

Hernandez, Lovich and Curtis all ended Friday's action with multi-hit performances. Collectively, the Mizzou pitching staff allowed just two hits against a top 10 team in the nation.

Up next - Mizzou will look to clinch the team's first SEC series win of the Kerrick Jackson era on Saturday, April 6 at 3 p.m.