University of Missouri
Nebraska
Tiger Baseball Takes 2-0 Lead in Series with Nebraska
4/17/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 17, 2004
COLUMBIA, Mo.-- - A day after a low-scoring battle between Missouri and Nebraska ended 3-2, the two teams put their offenses on showcase on Saturday with the Tigers taking the 16-11 win and a 2-0 lead in the series. The two teams combined for 35 hits and the Tigers scored more than 10 runs for the ninth time this season. They are 9-0 in those games.
After giving up three runs in the top of the first inning, Mizzou scored five in its half of the first. The lead did not last long as the Huskers put up four runs in the top of the second and added another run in the third.
MU junior RHP Erik Dessau then settled down and took control of the game. Dessau, who began the year as the Tigers' regular Saturday starter, came on in relief against Nebraska and recorded the win, moving to 6-3 on the year. He allowed three runs in 5.2 innings.
Trailing 8-5 heading into the bottom of the fifth, Mizzou scored in each of the next four innings, including a three-run fifth and a five-run sixth.
Mizzou's offensive numbers were impressive as every Tiger in the starting line-up had at least one hit. Seniors Lee Laskowski, Kyle Johnson, Jeremy Hernandez and sophomore James Boone led the Tigers.
Laskowski, Johnson and Hernandez had three hits a piece and Hernandez and Boone each drove in four runs.
Boone helped Mizzou take the lead in the first inning by hitting his second home run of the year, a three-run shot that was just inside the left field foul pole.
Senior Brad Flanders hit home run number seven for him in the fifth inning and Laskowski hit the third home run of the day for MU and his sixth of the season with a two-run homer in the seventh.
Senior RHP Mark Alexander came on for the final two innings allowing one run on two hits and striking out three.
Missouri will look for a sweep of the series on Sunday at 1 p.m at Taylor Stadium. 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.
