April 7, 2000
COLUMBIA, MO -- The Baylor Bears, ranked 18th by Collegiate Baseball, scored three times in the ninth inning Friday night, coming from behind for a 6-4 Big 12 Conference baseball victory over the Missouri Tigers at Taylor Stadium at Simmons Field.
Missouri (20-12, 7-6) was 17-0 when leading after eight innings, largely due to the efforts of closer Ryan Stegall who was 9-for-9 in save opportunities prior to Friday night.
With one out, Stegall struck out Jaime Bubela on a pitch in the dirt that got away from MU catcher Jon Williams and rolled toward the Baylor dugout. Bubela reached base safely and went to third on a single up the middle by Tim Hartshorn. Bubela scored the tying run on a wild pitch, with Hartshorn advancing to second base. One out later, Kelly Shoppach doubled to drive in Hartshorn and scored Baylor's final run on a single to center field by Mike Huggins.
Missouri put a runner on base with one out in the bottom of the ninth, but Baylor reliever Zane Carlson got Stegall on a pop up and struck out Williams to end the game and earn his 10th save.
On a night when the temperature plunged from 56 degrees at the start of the game into the 30s, and with the wind blowing out to right field with gusts up to 41 miles per hour, the Tigers struck quickly against Baylor ace Chad Hawkins. J.R. Warner hit a towering two-run home run in the first inning and Stegall followed with a solo homer to stake the Tigers to a 3-0 lead.
Baylor (27-10, 11-5) came back with two runs in the second off of MU starter Logan Dale. The Bears scored their first run on a bases-loaded walk to Bubela and an RBI single by Hartshorn. Huggins tied the game in the third with a home run to right field.
Hits by Wes Fewell and Mick Weiss and a ground out by Jayce Tingler in the fourth game Missouri a 4-3 lead.
Hawkins pitched eight innings and allowed 11 hits and all four Mizzou runs but picked up the victory (6-4). Stegall, suffering the first blown-save of his career, took the loss (1-1).
Stegall and Tingler each went 3-for-5 to lead Missouri, while Bubela, Hartshorn, Shoppach, Huggins and Ross Bennett each had two hits for the Bears.
The series continues with a 2 p.m. game on Saturday, and concludes with a 1 p.m. contest on Sunday. In ceremonies prior to Saturday's game, the University of Missouri will officially dedicate its new Ralph and Debbie/Phi Delta Theta Stadium.