May 16, 2003
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Sophomore right-hander Justin James (Yukon, Okla.) scattered six hits and struck out nine Oklahoma batters to post his first career complete game, leading Mizzou to a 6-1 win over his home-state Sooners at Taylor Stadium on Friday in a Big 12 Conference series opener.
With the win, coupled with a Baylor loss at Nebraska, the Tigers (33-17, 14-10 Big 12) moved into fourth place in the conference standings.
James (7-6) allowed singles to Eddie Cornejo in the first and fourth innings, and held a shutout into the eighth before allowing a LaFringe Hayes triple to left. Junior LF Ryan Rallo (Chesterfield, Mo.) just missed making a diving grab on Hayes' liner, allowing the Sooner speedster to scamper to third. He came home on a groundout to second by Cornejo. James retired OU (9-16, 21-28) in order three times.
The Tigers got on board first in the bottom of the first, when Rallo smashed a double into the teeth of the wind to left-center, allowing junior 1B Cody Ehlers (Stillwater, Okla.) to score.
Mizzou added a run in the fourth when OU starter Mark Roberts (5-6) balked junior RF Kyle Johnson (Omaha, Neb.) home with one out.
A three-run fifth inning, fueled by a three-base error on a bunt down the first-base line by senior CF Jayce Tingler (Smithville, Mo.), put the Tigers up 5-0. Although he was hitless on the night in an attempt to break a deadlock with former Tiger Ryan Fry for the most career hits in Missouri history, Tingler continued his talent for setting the table. Back-to-back doubles by junior SS Ian Kinsler (Tucson, Ariz.) and Ehlers scored two runs, and Ehlers came home on an RBI groundout by junior C Brad Flanders (Smithville, Mo.).
A sacrifice fly to left by Kinsler in the sixth scored junior 2B Jeremy Hernandez (Aptos, Calif.) and capped the scoring.
"It was good to get the win. Justin James was awesome tonight," said Assistant Coach Evan Pratte, who skippered the Tigers while Head Coach Tim Jamieson served a one-game suspension following his ejection on May 4 at Oklahoma State. "He threw strikes and challenged their guys. The timing of his performance helped the whole ballclub tonight."
The two teams will square off Saturday night for the middle game of the series. Tiger sophomore righty Garrett Broshuis (Advance, Mo.) puts his 5-2 record up against OU's David Purcey (2-3).