University of Missouri
Southeast Missouri
SEMO Uses the Long Ball to Defeat Missouri
5/10/2000 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 10, 2000
COLUMBIA, Mo.- Southeast Missouri State (33-14) used four home runs, including a three-run, eighth inning shot by JEREMY JOHNSON, to defeat the Missouri Tigers (29-22) by a score of 9-6 at Taylor Stadium in Columbia on Wednesday night. The loss is Missouri's fifth straight as they head to College Station, Texas for the final Big 12 weekend series of the season against Texas A&M.
Southeast Missouri State battled back from an early 4-0 deficit. The Tigers jumped out a 2-0 lead against SEMO's RONNIE LEWALLEN in the second inning. W.T. HOOVER sacrificed a run across for the Tigers before Lewallen balked the second run in. Following a bunt single by JAYCE TINGLER, Tiger shortstop RYAN STEGALL belted his seventh home run of the season over the left field wall to extend Mizzou's lead to 4-0.
The SEMO Indians jumped right back into the game in the top of the third inning. Johnson blasted a solo home run, his first of two on the night, to cut the Tigers' lead to 4-1. Following a single by DARRIN KINSOLVING, Missouri starter BRIAN ACKERSON gave up a two-run homer to PHIL WARREN to make it a 4-3 game.
After Missouri got a run back for a 5-3 lead, SEMO quickly tied the game up in the top of the fourth frame. With two men out, center fielder KEVIN MEYER drew a walk to knock Ackerson out of the game. LOGAN DALE entered on the mound for the Tigers, only to give up a two-run home run to SEMO's CHARLIE MARINO. That tied the game 5-5.
Southeast Missouri State took the lead in the top of the seventh inning, but it quickly vanished when Missouri third baseman LANDON BRANDES connected for his team-leading ninth home run of the year off of SEMO pitcher AUGIE CASSON to tie the score at 6-6. The tie was soon broken in the top of the eighth inning.
Missouri pitcher MATT HOBBS (2-1) gave up a single and a walk before two men were out, but SEMO slugger Jason Johnson struck again. Johnson smashed a 1-0 pitch over the left center field wall for his 18th home run of the year to give the Indians a 9-6 advantage.
The Indians ace reliever Jeffrey Hilz (7-2) did the rest. The left-hander allowed one hit and struck out four in the final 2 1/3 innings to pick up the win.
