University of Missouri
Gardner-Webb
Eight-Run Seventh Inning Leads Mizzou Over Gardner-Webb
2/18/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 18, 2005
ROCK HILL, S.C. - - The Missouri baseball team rallied to score eight runs in the seventh inning on its way to a 12-9 win over Gardner-Webb Friday at the Griffin Pontiac Challenge in Rock Hill, S.C.
Trailing by four heading to the seventh, the Tigers (2-1) sent 13 batters to the plate in the inning and turned the four-run deficit into a four-run lead. Mizzou scored the eight runs in the inning on five hits and was aided by two walks, three hit batters and one error.
The inning would start with a single by redshirt freshman Dan Pietroburgo and before the inning had ended, Pietrobugo had singled again. Making his first appearance as a Tiger, Pietroburgo had a solo home run in the fourth inning for his first career hit. He finished 3-for-6 with two RBI and two runs scored.
Junior Trevor Helms had a triple and sophomore Hunter Mense doubled in the seventh inning. Helms' triple scored two runs and Mense drove in one with his double.
Mense, who was 2-for-6 with a pair of RBI, has had two hits in each of the Tigers' three games this season and has had an extra base hit in each game.
Gardner-Webb's Billy McCarson gave the Bulldogs the early lead with a solo home run in the bottom of the second inning.
The lead would not stand for long as the Tigers would tie the score in the top of the third when junior James Boone doubled to drive in junior Derek Chambers. The double for Boone was his third two-bagger in the last two games.
Two errors on one play by the Tigers in the bottom of the third innings led to two runs for Gardner-Webb (3-1) and helped the Bulldogs to a four-run inning.
The Tigers would score three runs in the top of the fourth to pull within one. After Pietroburgo led off the inning with the home run, sophomore Gary Ardnt doubled and would score on a single by junior Trevor Helms. Helms would later score when Mense reached on a fielders's choice.
The Bulldogs would add a run in the fifth and two in the sixth to take a four run lead at 8-4 before MU exploded for the eight runs in the seventh.
GWU would add a run in the ninth with a home run from Brad Dees for the final 12-9 margin.
Sophomore Nathan Culp started on the mound for the first time this season for MU. He went 3.1 innings, allowing five runs, three of which were earned, on seven hits. Culp walked three and struck out three.
Junior Andrew Johnston pitched 2.2 innings and was credited with the win, his first at Missouri. Junior Taylor Parker pitched the final three innings, allowing just one run and recording the save.
Helms and Chambers each had three hits on Friday and Helms drove in three runs.
The Griffin Pontiac Challenge continues Saturday, as Missouri will take on Winthrop at 1 p.m. (Noon CST). The game will be a rematch from Thursday, when Winthrop defeated the Tigers 7-4. Nick Admire is scheduled to make his first start of the season for MU.
All of Mizzou's games are broadcast on KTGR Radio (1580 AM in Columbia) and can be heard online at www.KTGR.com with Tex Little and Luke Cassis calling the action.
