Gators Top Tigers in Series Opener, 5-1

Friday, April 3

Columbia, Mo.

6:05 PM

University of Missouri

20-11, 6-4

Florida

24-7, 6-4

Florida

Mizzou

4/3/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Second baseman Brett Peel (St. Charles, Mo.) roped a RBI single to right in the second inning to give Mizzou (20-11, 6-4) an early lead, but the No. 4 Florida Gators (24-7, 6-4) battled back to win 5-1 on Friday night (April 3) at Taylor Stadium. Ryan Howard (St. Charles, Mo.) had a sound day at the dish, finishing 2-for-4 with a double. Jake Ring (Ingleside, Ill.) also doubled in the first inning.

Three-time SEC Pitcher of the Week Reggie McClain (Duluth, Ga.) was tagged for 5 earned runs in 5.1 innings and was charged with the loss. Mizzou got to Florida pitcher Logan Shore early for four hits in the first three frames, but the hurler settled in from there as he and Bobby Poyner combined to allow only two further baserunners in the contest.

The Tigers missed an opportunity in the bottom of the first inning, loading the bases with no outs but failing to score after a foul out and a double play. They came through in the second, though, cashing in on back-to-back walks with Peel shooting a liner to right to score Brett Bond (St. Louis, Mo.) and take a 1-0 lead.

Florida struck back in the fourth, as Josh Tobias laced a two-RBI triple to right with one out to take the lead. He scored on a groundout by JJ Schwarz, the next Gator batter, to give the guests a 3-1 lead through four frames. The Gators then tacked on two more runs in the fifth as Peter Alonso tallied his first two RBI of the year on a two-out double to right-center, giving Florida a 5-1 edge.

McClain gave way to Andrew Schwaab (St. Charles, Mo.) in the sixth inning, and Schwaab held Florida off the board after inheriting a runner on second with one out. He carried Mizzou until Lake Dabney (Driftwood, Texas) took over in the eighth inning.

Mizzou and Florida play again Saturday (April 3) at 2:05 p.m. For all the latest on Mizzou baseball, follow the team on Twitter (@MizzouBaseball) or check in to MUTigers.com.