University of Missouri
Kansas State
Mizzou Drops Series Opener to Kansas State, 5-3
3/24/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 24, 2006
COLUMBIA, Mo. - - Mizzou dropped the opener of its three-game series with Kansas State, 5-3, as KSU scored the final four runs of the game won its 16th straight game. The loss was the first Big 12 Conference defeat for the Tigers and snaps a four-game winning streak over the Wildcats.
With Missouri (13-8, 3-1 Big 12) leading 3-1 heading to the top of the sixth inning, KSU's Barrett Rice doubled to drive home a pair of runs, tying the game at three. After a strikeout to open the seventh inning, the next five Wildcat batters reached safely and two more runs would cross the plate.
Mizzou scored its runs in the third and fourth innings. After Kansas State (17-1, 1-0 Big 12) took a 1-0 lead with a run in the top of the third, the Tigers answered with two runs in the bottom half of the inning. Senior Zane Taylor singled and scored on a double by junior Hunter Mense. Senior Derek Chambers followed with a single, driving in Mense.
Leading off the fourth, senior Trevor Helms singled and later would score on a double by sophomore Evan Frey. Frey was 3-for-4, adding singles in the first and seventh innings and extending his hitting streak to nine games. The streak is the second longest by a Tigers this season.
Junior Nathan Culp started on the mound for MU, allowing five runs, all earned, on nine hits in 6.1 innings pitched. He struck out three and walked one, falling to 5-2 on the season.
The series will continue with game two of the series at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Taylor Stadium. For tickets call 1-800 CAT PAWS (884-PAWS in Columbia).
