University of Missouri
Western Illinois
Missouri Downs Western Illinois 2-1
3/2/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 2, 2004
COLUMBIA, Mo.-- - Mizzou improved to 9-2 on the season after a one-run victory over Western Illinois on Tuesday at Taylor Stadium. Pitching dominated the game as Freshman LHP Nathan Culp took the mound for his first collegiate start on and took home the victory in a game that took only 1:56 to play.
Culp pitched six innings and allowed only one unearned run and one hit. He struck out five and walked one. senior RHP Mark Alexander came on in relief and worked the final three inning to record his third save of the season.
Missouri's offensive power came in the bottom of the first inning. After sophomore SS Zane Taylor lead off with a single, he advanced to second on a sacrifice by sophomore CF Tyler Williams. Senior 1B Cody Ehlers then connected for his third home run of the season, driving in Taylor and giving MU the early 2-0 lead.
That would be the last runs scored by the Tigers and would be just enough for Culp and Alexander.
The lone run scored by Western Illinois came in the top of the third inning when Pete Tronick scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Ryan Cougill.
Mizzou had eight hits against the Leatherneck pitching, two coming from senior LF Lee Laskowski who was 2-for-4.
The Tigers and Leathernecks will play game two on Wednesday at 4 p.m. at Taylor Stadium. All Mizzou baseball games can be heard on the ZRG Radio Network (1580 KTGR in Columbia) and online at www.KTGR.com. For tickets, call 1-800-CAT-PAWS or 884-PAWS in Columbia.
