Black Tops Grey, 5-2, in Game One of Mizzou’s Fall World Series
10/7/2015 10:01:00 PM | Baseball
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Team Black held on to take Game One of Mizzou baseball's Fall World Series, 5-2, Wednesday night (Oct. 7) at Taylor Stadium.
Starter Ryan Lee allowed just one hit through five innings of work for Team Black while the offense pounded out five runs on 10 hits.
The offense was at it early as Black scored a pair of runs in the second inning to take the lead. Matt Feldt hustled out a triple with one out in the frame and came around to score when Ian Nelson punched a single into right. Grant Macciocchi later reached when right fielder Collins Robinson mishandled a fly ball, scoring Nelson and pushing Black out in front, 2-0.
Team Grey scratched across a run in the third to cut the deficit in half. Johnny Balsamo drew a one-out walk and later scored when Conner Brumfield laced a single into left. Lee later walked Zach Lavy but managed to escape the inning with the lead intact.
Grey looked positioned to at least tie the game in the fifth, placing runners at first and second with nobody out, but Lee induced a fly ball and an inning-ending double play to negate the threat.
Black pulled away in the seventh, tacking on three runs and chasing Grey starter Michael Plassmeyer from the game. Jake Ring led off the inning with a single and later scored when Brian Sharp shot a single into center, chasing Plassmeyer. Trey Harris then ripped a double off of reliever Nolan Gromacki, scoring Sharp. Feldt added an RBI single of his own before the inning came to a close with Black leading, 5-1.
Plassmeyer allowed all four runs (three earned) on eight hits with five strikeouts in 6.1 innings of work. His final frame spoiled what was otherwise a solid outing, as he allowed just an unearned run through the contest's first five innings.
Grey rallied in the seventh, scratching across a run, but it wasn't enough as the game was called after seven innings.
Lee allowed just one hit across his five innings, surrendering a run while striking out four.
Despite the error in the second, Team Grey's outfield defense impressed throughout the contest. Robinson made a diving catch to rob Harris of a single in the second and Balsamo added a lunging catch in center to take extra bases away from Ring in the third.
The Fall World Series continues Thursday (Oct. 8) night at 6 p.m. For the latest on Mizzou baseball, follow the team on Twitter (@MizzouBaseball) or check in to MUTugers.com.
