Mizzou drops first midweek game against UCF
ORLANDO, Fla. (KMIZ)
Mizzou Baseball has suffered its third loss in four games to start the 2025 season.
The Tigers (1-3) allowed seven unanswered runs to UCF (4-0) on Thursday night, resulting in a 7-1 loss at John Euliano Park in Orlando, Florida.
Blair Oaks alum Wil Libbert made his first collegiate start on the mound but was charged with the loss. Libbert allowed four runs on four hits during his three innings of work, including a two-RBI double to Andrew Sundean and a two-run home run to Andrew Williamson.
Josh Kirchhoff entered the game out of the bullpen to limit that 4-0 deficit but gave up three more unanswered runs to UCF in the fifth inning to extend MU's deficit to seven runs.
Nic Smith (1 IP), PJ Green (1.2 IP) and Ben Smith (1 IP) did not allow any earned runs during their relief appearances, following Kirchhoff's departure. Ben Smith also tallied three strikeouts in a clean eighth inning.
Kaden Peer scored MU's only run of the contest with a solo home run in the sixth inning, highlighting a three-hit performance at the plate. Mateo Serna posted the team's only other hit, and the Tigers struck out 10 times.
Up next - Mizzou will play three games at the Andre Dawson Classic at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex in Vero Beach, Florida. MU's first matchup with Florida A&M is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m.
