University of Missouri
Missouri State
Epstein's Homer Lifts Mizzou
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 25, 1999
COLUMBIA, Mo.- The Missouri Tigers ran their record to 13-10 on Wednesday afternoon in Springfield, Mo. by defeating the Southwest Missouri State Bears by a score of 9-8. Justin Stine picked up his third win of the year for the Tigers while Jake Epstein connected for a two-run home run in the top of the ninth inning to give Missouri the lead.
Southwest Missouri State tallied three runs in the first two innings off of Missouri starter Ryan Jamison but the Tigers answered with a five-spot in the third frame. The Tigers loaded the bases with two outs in the inning when Epstein (2-for-5, 5 RBI) punched a double down the right field that cleared the bases, tying the game 3-3. Missouri's Jon Williams then reached on an error before Ryan Stegall walked, thus loading the bases again for the second time in the inning with two outs. Junior Mike Rallo then came through with a double down the right field line scoring Epstein and Williams to give the Tigers a 5-3 advantage. The Tigers would tack on runs in the fifth and sixth innings, including a solo homer by Williams, to take a 7-3 lead.
Missouri blew their four-run cushion in the bottom of the sixth inning. With two outs and one runner on base, Mizzou pitcher Mitch Kiler fell apart on the mound giving up five straight hits including two-run doubles to Nick Kays and Micah Holst (3-for-4, 2 RBI) as the Bears reclaimed the lead 8-7. Missouri brought their ace, Justin Stine, out of the bullpen to stop the bleeding and he did just that. Stine pitched the final 3 1/3 innings of the game giving just two hits while striking out four. He gave Missouri the chance to come back and win the game and Tigers did.
In the top of the ninth inning, Aaron Wilson started things with a solid single off of SMSU closer Matt Smith (1-2). Epstein then came up to the plate and drove a fastball through the teeth of the wind and out of the ballpark for his fourth home run of the season to give the Tigers a 9-8 lead. Stine gave up a leadoff hit in the bottom of the ninth, but retired the next three hitters in order to close out the game.
