University of Missouri
Nevada
Missouri Rallies in Ninth to Win Season Opener
2/13/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 13, 2004
PHOENIX, Ariz.-- - Down by one run in the final inning against Nevada in its season opener, the Mizzou baseball team scored two runs in the ninth to defeat the Wolf Pack 8-7 at the Oakland A's Spring Training Tournament in Phoenix, Ariz. on Friday. Senior DH Ryan Rallo's two-out single up the middle was his second hit of the day and drove in sophomore SS Zane Taylor for the game-winning run.
The ninth inning rally began with sophomore OF Josiah Holst and Taylor drawing walks. Senior 2B Jeremy Hernandez then dropped down a perfect sacrifice bunt, moving Holst to third and Taylor to second. Senior LF Lee Laskowski was then intentionally walked to load the bases and senior 1B Cody Ehlers drew a walk, allowing Holst to walk home with the game-tying run. Two batters later, Rallo provided the walk-off single.
Nevada scored first in the game, getting a leadoff double by Brian Gazerro. Later in the inning Gazerro was driven in by Brett Hayes.
Mizzou responded by scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning. The first three hitters for the Tigers reached base and scored. Sophomore CF Tyler Williams and Taylor each singled and Hernandez walked. All would cross the plate for Missouri.
After the Wolf Pack tied the game at three with two runs in the top of the third inning, the Tigers put together another three-run inning. Laskowski singled and was driven in when senior C Brad Flanders doubled down the right field line. Sophomore RF James Boone followed with a double of his own, driving in Ehlers, who had singled earlier in the inning, and Flanders.
Nevada tied the game at six with two runs in seventh inning and then took the lead by scoring a run in the top of the ninth after Missouri committed its third error of the game.
Ehlers and Rallo were each 2-for-4 on the day and Ehlers added two RBI and one run scored.
The Tigers starting pitcher, senior RHP Danny Hill, went 4.2 innings and allowed four runs on eight hits and struck out six. Sophomore LHP Taylor Parker was impressive in relief, striking out five in 3.1 innings of work, giving up just two hits.
This is the second straight season that Missouri has opened the season with a win and Head Coach Tim Jamieson improves 6-3-1 in season openers at MU.
Mizzou will continue action in the Oakland A's Spring Training Tournament at 3 p.m. CST on Saturday as it faces Portland. That game, along with all of the Tigers' games this season can be heard on the ZRG Radio Network (KTGR 1580 AM in Columbia). The broadcast can be heard online at www.ktgr.com.
