May 11, 2001
COLUMBIA, Mo. -- A pair of early three-run home runs powered Texas A&M to a 10-4 victory against the University of Missouri baseball team Friday night at Taylor Stadium/Simmons Field in Big 12 Conference action.
The loss eliminates Missouri from participating in next week's Big 12 Conference Tournament. The Tigers are now 30-24-1 overall and 10-19 in league play.
The Aggies used a three-run home run by Ben Himes in the second inning and a three-run home run by Ryan Wardinsky in the third inning to take an early 7-0 lead and knock out Drew Endicott, Missouri's starting pitcher.
Texas A&M eventually made it 10-0 before the Tigers could get on the scoreboard. Luke Cassis started the rally with a two-out single to right field. W.T. Hoover singled to left field before Jon Williams drove in Cassis with a single to right field. Ryan Stegall then hit a three-run homer to left-center field to make it 10-4. Stegall's homer gives him 14 this season and extends his hit streak to 17 games.
Stegall now ranks in the following career categories at Missouri: third in extra-base hits (90), fifth in home runs (34), fifth in total bases (369) and ninth in runs batted in (149).
Hoover had two hits to lead the Tigers.
Texas A&M improves to 30-25 overall and 15-14 in the Big 12 Conference.
The teams are scheduled to complete the series Saturday at 2 p.m.