Mizzou sweeps doubleheader, posts 13-run inning against Binghamton
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Mizzou Baseball's offensive explosion highlighted its Saturday sweep.
The Tigers (8-7) won both games of their doubleheader against Binghamton (4-8), run-ruling the Bearcats 16-6 in game one and defeating them 4-2 in the nightcap.
MU's first victory over its visitors from New York was powered by a 13-run frame. Head Coach Kerrick Jackson's group sent 18 batters to the dish in the fourth inning, recording 13 runs on 10 hits. Mateo Serna (3), Brock Daniels (1) and Cayden Nicoletto (1) each belted home runs in that frame. MU's sophomore catcher moved into a tie for the team-lead in home runs with his third of the season.
Nicoletto led Mizzou's 16-run effort with a 4-for-5, 5-RBI performance, including a grand slam. Jackson Lovich added three hits and two RBI's while Serna tallied two hits and four RBI's. Peer also posted a multi-hit effort. Collectively, eight different players recorded at least one hit for the Tigers.
Josh Kirchhoff earned the win in relief of starting pitcher Wil Libbert, allowing one earned run on two hits in 1.1 innings. The Blair Oaks graduate tossed 3.2 innings in his third career start, giving up two earned runs on four hits with a team-best four strikeouts.
Coach Jackson's crew did not match game one's offensive production in its second outing but still handled business. After Binghamton tied the game 2-2 in the sixth inning on an RBI single and wild pitch, the Tigers responded in the seventh frame with back-to-back RBI hits from Peyton Basler and Pierre Seals to retake the lead for good.
Seals and Lovich each had multi-hit performances, led by the senior outfielder's three-hit game. Basler and Keegan Knutson also both tallied an RBI.
Kadden Drew held the Bearcats to just two earned runs on seven hits, including three strikeouts in his five-inning start. However, St. Elizabeth graduate Brock Lucas was awarded the win for his four shutout innings out of the bullpen. Lucas only gave up one hit and struck out six batters.
Up next - Mizzou will be seeking a four-game series win in its finale against Binghamton. First pitch from Taylor Stadium is scheduled for Sunday, March 9 at 1 p.m.
