April 14, 2002
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Today's game between Missouri and No. 10/14 Nebraska is for all of the marbles. Well, at least in this three-game Big 12 Conference series as each team enters the third and final game of this series with one win each. Missouri recorded a 9-6 win on Friday before Nebraska picked up a 6-3 decision Saturday.
Last Game: Lee Laskowski had three hits for the Tigers but they were not enough as the Tigers dropped the contest. Nebraska used a four-run seventh inning, highlighted by Jed Morris' two-run single, to pick up the victory.
Series Notes: Hits have not been plenty so far this series as pitching has been the key. Nebraska enters today's game hitting .250 in the series while the Tigers are hitting .288. For Missouri, Lee Laskowski is hitting .625 (5-of-8) after two games with a pair of doubles and runs batted in. Jayce Tingler is hitting .500 (3-of-6). For Nebraska, Jed Morris is hitting .375 (3-of-8) but has scored four runs and driven in five more.
Streaks: Jayce Tingler enters today's game with a nine-game hit streak. Lee Laskowski and Luke Cassis have the next longest streaks as each one is working on a four-game streak.
Hit Machine: With three hits Saturday, Lee Laskowski now has 17 games this season (out of 34) in which he has collected two-or-more hits.
How Many? Saturday's crowd of 1,508 fans set a record for Taylor Stadium/Simmons Field. The previous mark was 1,342 set on May 11, 2001, against Texas A&M.
Speaking of Streaks: Senior Aaron Paterson has appeared in seven consecutive games. He has thrown 9.2 innings and allowed 10 hits while striking out eight.
Don't Face Me: If the Tigers have a chance to take the lead or tie the game, Missouri wants Cody Ehlers at the plate. In the Tigers' last three wins, Ehlers has either given Missouri the lead or tied the game. Ehlers hit a two-run home run in the 12th inning to defeat Washington on April 6, doubled to drive in the tying run against UW on April 7 and doubled last night to drive in two runs to give Missouri an 8-6 lead over Nebraska.
Next Up: Missouri plays Southwest Missouri State Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Taylor Stadium/Simmons Field.