University of Missouri
Texas Tech
Helms' Triple Carries Tigers Past Texas Tech
5/9/2004 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 9, 2004
LUBBOCK, Texas. -- - Missouri scored two runs in the top of the ninth against Texas Tech on Sunday in Lubbock, Texas to take a 3-1 victory and the series win. It was the sixth game that the Tigers have won in its last at-bat this season, as they move to 29-18-1 on the year and 8-12 in the Big 12 Conference.
With the game tied at one and two outs in the top of the ninth, MU sophomore Trevor Helms tripled to the wall in right to drive in seniors Ryan Rallo and Jeremy Hernandez. Helms had a career day, finishing 4-for-5 and extending his hit streak to eight games.
The Tigers scored the game's first run in the top of the third inning. Freshman Gary Arndt doubled down the right field line and moved to third on a single by Helms. Arndt would then score on a wild pitch.
Freshman Nathan Culp started on the mound for Mizzou and kept the Red Raiders scoreless with just four hits for six innings. But in the seventh, Tech broke into the scoring column, as Dallas Braden singled to drive in Cody Fuller to tie the game at one. Culp left the game after 6.1 innings of work, allowing one run on seven hits, while striking out two.
Missouri had an opportunity to retake the lead in the top of the eighth, as the first two Tigers to step to the plate reached when Helms singled and sophomore Tyler Williams was hit by a pitch. Each moved up a base on a ground out by Lee Laskowski. After senior Cody Ehlers was intentionally walked to load the bases, the Red Raiders turned an impressive double play on a ground ball hit by sophomore James Boone to end MU's scoring threat.
Then in the ninth, the first two Tigers again reached as Rallo and Hernandez each singled. After the next two Mizzou batters were retired, Helms connected for the triple to drive in what would be the game-winning runs.
The loss was the first Sunday defeat for Texas Tech, who was 11-0 on Sundays before falling to Missouri.
Sophomore Taylor Parker took the win in relief and senior Mark Alexander picked up is Big 12 Conference leading eighth save of the season. His eight saves put him in a tie for third for saves in a season by a Mizzou pitcher.
Missouri remains on the road next weekend, as it travels to Lawrence, Kan. for a three-game series beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday. All Mizzou Baseball games can be heard on the ZRG Radio Network (1580 KTGR in Columbia) with Tex Little and Luke Cassis providing the commentary. The broadcasts can also be heard online www.KTGR.com.
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