February 16, 1999

COLUMBIA, Mo.- The Missouri Tigers improved to 3-0 on the 1999 campaign with a 5-1 victory over Missouri Baptist College on a cold Tuesday afternoon in Columbia. Four Mizzou pitchers held the Spartans to just four hits and allowed just one run.

Missouri Baptist took a 1-0 in the second inning on a leadoff solo home run by Jack McCuen. That would be the only run Missouri starter Jody Harris (1-0) would allow in three solid innings of work. Harris struck out four and allowed just two hits.

The Tigers answered McCuen's homer in the bottom of the second inning when freshman Ryan Stegall (3-for-3, 3 RBI) connected for a two-run blast, his second homer in as many days, to give Missouri a 2-1 lead. Later in the inning, Nick Wilfong drove in Mike Ketelsen with an RBI double to give the Tigers a 3-1 advantage.

The Tigers added single runs in the fifth and sixth innings on a bases-loaded hit batter and a wild pitch. The Missouri pitching staff dominated the rest of the game. Left handers Mitch Kiler and Ralph McCasland came out of the bullpen for a combined five innings of shutout ball. Kiler posted three strikeouts in three innings while McCasland struck out four in two innings of work. Mizzou closer Chris George pitched a three up, three down ninth inning.