Samples’ Walk-Off Gives @MizzouBaseball Series-Opening Win Over Tennessee

Thursday, May 17

Columbia, Mo.

6:30 p.m.

University of Missouri

33-20, 11-17

Tennessee

28-26, 11-17

Tennessee

Mizzou

Samples’ Walk-Off Gives @MizzouBaseball Series-Opening Win Over Tennessee

5/17/2018 11:52:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Mizzou now needs just one win to secure a spot in next week’s SEC Tournament

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Baseball earned a walk-off win against Tennessee Thursday night at Taylor Stadium as senior Alex Samples delivered a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the 12^th inning to seal the win. With the win, Mizzou now just needs one more win to earn a spot in games in next week's SEC Tournament. Mizzou improves to 33-20 on the season and 11-17 in SEC play. The Tigers have now won nine consecutive games over Tennessee, which falls to 28-26 and 11-17 in SEC play. That streak dates back to 2015.

Freshman reliever Cameron Pferrer earned his first career win after pitching 1.1 innings in relief of brilliant outings from starter T.J. Sikkema and senior righty Andy Toelken. Mizzou earned the win despite striking out 21 times in the game, a Tennessee program record.

TURNING POINT

The Tigers put themselves on the board in the bottom of the third inning with a base hit by Senior OF Trey Harris to bring around SS Chris Cornelius. That marked Harris' 17^th multi-hit game of the season, tying Brian Sharp for the team lead. The Mizzou defense rallied behind Sikkema for the next few innings, but the Volunteers evened the game at the top of the sixth inning.

Each team tallied one more run through the remaining frames, and the score was tied at 2-2 heading into extras. The game quickly defensive duel as both offenses were unable to string together runs.

It was the top of the 12^th inning when the Tiger offense hit their stride. Senior INF Matt Berler reached on a fielder's choice and was awarded second on a balk called on Tennessee LHP Garrett Crochet. After an intentional walk to Harris and a strikeout by pinch hitter Mark Vierling, Samples stepped in with two outs. On the second pitch of the at-bat, Samples ripped a shot up the middle, past the pitcher and a diving shortstop to score Berler from second and secure the walk-off win.

TOP TIGERS

Junior lefty T.J. Sikkema was tremendous in his second career start against Tennessee. He allowed just six hits over 7.0 innings, allowing just one run with no walks and eight strikeouts. It was his first start this season without a walk and his first start since May 18, 2017, at Tennessee without a walk. He is now 1-0 with just one earned run and 10 hits over 16.0 innings in his career vs. Tennessee. He has struck out 15 Volunteer batters in his 16.0 innings.
Samples was the hero with his RBI single in the 12^th inning. That extended his hitting streak to six games, his longest this season.
Senior RHP Andy Toelken tossed 3.2 relief innings and allowed just one run on five hits while striking out three.
Senior RF Trey Harris went 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI. He is now tied with junior Brian Sharp with a team-best 17 multi-hit games this season.
Speaking of Sharp, he walked twice in six at-bats and got the 12^th inning started with a leadoff walk. He has now reached base in 14 straight games.
Senior C Brett Bond tallied his 15^th multi-hit game and drove in a run while catching all 12.0 innings.
Freshman DH Chad McDaniel tallied his ninth multi-hit game of the year.

NOTES

With tonight's 12 inning game, Mizzou improves to 4-1 in extra-inning games this season.
Mizzou is now 21-7 at Taylor Stadium, and 11-17 in the SEC.
Mizzou improves to 11-5 all-time against Tennessee.
Mizzou won its ninth straight game vs. Tennessee Thursday, a streak that dates back to 2015.
Mizzou is now 2-1 on Thursdays this season.
Mizzou improves to 25-8 in night games this season.
With Texas A&M's win over South Carolina, Mizzou now needs just one more win over Tennessee to secure a spot in next week's SEC Tournament.
Mizzou has now played 38 of 53 games this season vs. teams in the RPI top-100.

UP NEXT

Mizzou and Tennessee play game two of the series tomorrow night at 6:30 p.m. on SEC Network+. For all the latest on Mizzou Baseball, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team on Twitter (@MizzouBaseball) and like the team on Facebook (Mizzou Baseball) and Instagram (missouri_baseball).