University of Missouri
Tennessee-Martin
Mizzou Takes Easton/USA Challenge Title
3/14/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 14, 2004
MILLINGTON, Tenn.-- - The Missouri baseball team picked up its fourth win of the weekend, a 7-3 win over Tennessee-Martin on Sunday at USA Stadium in Millington, Tenn., to claim the tournament title of the Easton/USA Challenge.
A day after it took Mizzou eight innings to record its third hit of the game, the Tigers got three hits in each of the first two innings and put three runs on the board. They added runs in the third and fourth innings to take a 5-0 lead and extended the lead
That was more than enough for MU starting pitcher, junior RHP Garrett Broshuis, who went seven innings for his longest outing of the season. He allowed just one run and only four hits. He struck out four and walked one to move to 4-0 on the year.
The first Tiger run of the game was scored by senior C Brad Flanders, who singled and scored on a bases-loaded walk drawn by senior DH Ryan Rallo. In the second inning, sophomore CF Tyler Williams tripled over the centerfielder's head to drive in freshman SS Gary Ardnt, who had reached on a single. Williams then scored on an error by the UTM catcher.
Sophomore RF James Boone led off the third with his second infield hit of the day. He stole second base and then stole third and would score on a sacrifice fly by Rallo. Boone had an outstanding weekend, going 10-for-14 with two doubles, two RBI, three runs scored and two stolen bases.
Missouri added another run in the fourth, as senior 1B Cody Ehlers drove in Arndt, who scored his second run of the day to give MU the 5-0 lead.
The Skyhawks put their first run of the game on the board in the top of the sixth, but Mizzou responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning to give Broshuis a 7-1 lead. Arndt and Williams drew back-to-back walks and would each score on a two-RBI double by senior LF Lee Laskowski, who extended his hit streak to nine games.
Ardnt was 2-for-2 on the day with a walk and scored three runs and Laskowski was 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI.
Junior RHP Dustin Braud pitched the eighth inning and freshman RHP Max Scherzer pitched the ninth to close out the win.
The Tigers claim the championship honors with a 4-0 record at the Easton/USA Challenge. Mizzou also had four players, Boone, Ehlers, Laskowski, and junior RHP Erik Dessau, were named to the All-Tournament Team.
The Tigers will return home on Wednesday, as they host Illinois State at 4 p.m. at Taylor Stadium. For tickets call 1-800-CAT PAWS or 884-PAWS in Columbia. All of the Mizzou baseball games can be heard on the ZRG Radio Network (1580 KTGR in Columbia) with Tex Little and Luke Cassis on the call. The broadcasts can also be heard online www.KTGR.com.
