May 5, 2007
AUSTIN, Texas-- - The three-game series between Mizzou and Texas is even at a game a piece after the Longhorns took a 5-1 win in game two of the series on Saturday in Austin, Texas. That snapped a four-game win streak by the MU against the Longhorns.
The Tigers had just three hits on Saturday with two coming from senior John McKee. They avoided being shutout by plating a run in the top of the ninth inning. The first two batters in the ninth reached safely as junior Brock Bond was hit by a pitch and sophomore Ryan Lollis doubled. Bond then scored on a sacrifice fly by junior Jacob Priday.
Missouri (32-13, 13-7 Big 12) had chances earlier in the game, advancing a runner to third base twice in the bottom of the third inning, but could not get on the scoreboard. McKee opened the third with a triple, but was thrown out at home on a ground ball hit to shortstop by senior Gary Arndt. Arndt moved to third on a Texas error, but was stranded there.
Mizzou also had the bases loaded with one out in the fifth inning, but could not push any runs across the plate.
Texas (38-13, 18-5) put its first two batters on in the bottom of the fourth then got a two-out, two-run single by Chais Fuller to drive in the games' first runs.
The Longhorns added three runs in the sixth inning as Fuller had another RBI hit and Kyle Russell delivered a two-run single to extend the UT lead to 5-0.
Texas starter Adrain Alaniz took the win, pitching 8.1 innings and allowing just one run on three hits to improve to 12-2 on the year.
Mizzou sophomore Rick Zagone was handed his first loss of the season, dropping to 6-1. He struck out five, allowing five runs on 11 hits in 5.2 innings. It was Zagone's first defeat since falling to Texas Tech on May 14, 2006.
Missouri and Texas will conclude the three-game series with a 1 p.m. contest on Sunday in Austin. The Tigers will return home next weekend to host Oklahoma in their final home series of the year. The three-game set with the Sooners will get underway at 6:30 p.m. on Friday at Taylor Stadium.