Mizzou surrenders series sweep at Florida, remains winless in SEC action

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (KMIZ)

Mizzou Baseball has suffered five straight series sweeps to begin its SEC season.

The Tigers (12-23) lost both games of Saturday's doubleheader at Florida (24-14), falling 5-0 in game one before dropping the nightcap 3-2 in walk-off fashion. The team concludes the first half of conference action with an 0-15 league record.

MU's pitching staff only allowed eight combined runs during Saturday's twin bill, including just three runs in the series finale, which is a new team-best against an SEC opponent this season. However, the Tigers only recorded eight combined hits and stranded 10 runners on base between both contests. Mizzou also struck out nine times in each of Saturday's games.

Kaden Jacobi posted a 5.1-inning start in game one, giving up three earned runs on five hits with three strikeouts. MU's starting lineup was unable to supply Jacobi with any run support, though. The Tigers ended the game 0-for-6 at the plate with runners in scoring position and 1-for-10 in situations with at least one baserunner.

Tony Nuebeck and Xavier Lovett gave their team another efficient effort on the mound in game two, combining to allow just three earned runs and four hits over 6.1 innings of work. Mizzou's duo also struck out nine total batters.

Coach Jackson's team held the lead for two frames in the finale, following a solo shot from Pierre Seals (4) in the second inning. Florida responded with a two-run home run from Blake Cyr in the fourth frame to gain a 2-1 advantage, but Cayden Nicoletto (5) belted a game-tying home run in the sixth inning to put the team in position to potentially end its winless SEC season. However, Mizzou was retired in order in the final frame, and Brendan Lawson delivered a walk-off single to clinch another win for Florida.

Seals and Chris Patterson posted two hits each between both games, but Gehrig Goldbeck was the only player to record a single-game, multi-hit effort in this series for the Tigers.

Up next - MU will hunt for a fifth straight midweek win on Tuesday, April 15. First pitch between Mizzou and Missouri State is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Taylor Stadium.