University of Missouri
Southeast Missouri
Tigers Take Victory Over In-State Rival SEMO
3/24/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 24, 2004
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo.-- - The Missouri baseball team won its fourth game in a row by defeating in-state rival Southeast Missouri State by a 6-3 score in Cape Girardeau, Mo. on Wednesday. The Tigers move to 19-4-1 on the year as it prepares to open up Big 12 Conference action this weekend.
Southeast Missouri got to Tiger starting pitcher, freshman LHP Nathan Culp, in the first inning, as the first five Indians reached base on four singles and a walk. Three runs crossed the plate as SEMO took the early lead. Culp then settled down, and with the help of the MU bullpen, did not allow another run in the game.
Mizzou finally got on the board with a four-run sixth inning on two hits and some help from Southeast Missouri State. Senior 1B Cody Ehlers led off he inning by reaching on an error by the centerfielder, advancing all the way to third base. He would score on an RBI single by sophomore RF James Boone. They also scored runs on a wild pitch, a passed ball and a balk in the inning, taking the lead with the aid provided by the Indians.
The Tigers got additional runs in the eighth and ninth inning, as Boone walked to lead off the eighth and scored on a single by sophomore OF Tyler Williams. In the ninth Boone reached on a single and was driven in on a double by Ehlers.
Culp went five innings, allowing the three hits, all earned, on six hits. He struck out six and walked two. Junior RHP Dustin Braud, sophomore LHP Taylor Parker and senior RHP Mark Alexander kept the Indians scoreless in the final four innings. Culp moves to 2-1 on the year and Alexander picked up his team-leading fifth save of the year.
Senior DH Lee Laskowski singled in the top of the first inning for the first Tiger hit of the night. That extend his hitting streak to 14 games matching senior LF Ryan Rallo's streak earlier this year for the longest of the season for Missouri. Ehlers extended a hitting streak of his own to 11 games with a single in the third inning.
Missouri will open up the Big 12 Conference season this weekend at Taylor Stadium with a three-game series against Kansas State. The opener will get underway at 6:30 p.m. on Friday. Game two will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday and the final game of the series will start at 1 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are available by calling 1-800-CAT-PAWS or 884-PAWS in Columbia. The ZRG Radio Network (1580 KTGR in Columbia) will carry all of the Tigers' games with Tex Little and Luke Cassis providing the commentary. The broadcasts can also be heard online www.KTGR.com.
