University of Missouri
Arkansas-Little Rock
Tigers Lose To UALR, 9-3
2/18/2000 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 18, 2000
NATCHITOCHES, LA ___ -- Squandered opportunities cost the Missouri Tigers dearly on Friday as they opened play in the Ken Moran Trucking Demon Baseball Classic at Brown-Stroud Field.
The Tigers stranded eight baserunners, hit into five double plays and committed a season-high three errors in a 9-3 loss to the Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans (6-2). The loss snapped a modest two-game winning streak for Mizzou, while UALR won its fourth straight game.
Left-handed starting pitcher Ralph McCasland was shaky for the second straight time. He allowed two quick runs in the first inning, and allowed six total on five hits and four walks before being relieved by P.J. McGinnis in the third inning.
The Tigers tied the game in the second. Nick Wilfong and Wes Fewell were each hit by pitches from Trojan starter Carl Rowland and an infield single by Mike Rallo loaded the bases. Mick Weiss plated a run while hitting into a double play, the first of three he would bounce into on the day. Landon Brandes bailed him out, however, doubling to left center to score Fewell.
The Trojans quickly regained the lead, though, with four runs on four hits and a walk in the third inning to chase McCasland.
Missouri scored its final run in the seventh inning on singles by Brandes and Luke Cassis and a two-out double to left center by Ryan Stegall.
Rowland scattered eight hits over seven innings to up his record to 2-0. McCasland (0-1) took the loss. Rallo led MU's 10-hit attack with three hits, while Cassis and Brandes had two apiece.
The Tigers will face the host Northwestern State Demons tomorrow at 12 p.m. The Demons are coached by former Missouri assistant coach John Cohen, now in his third season at Northwestern State. MU Coach Tim Jamieson will send junior right hander Logan Dale (0-1) to the mound.
