University of Missouri
Western Illinois
Mizzou Downs Western Illinois, 18-4
3/10/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 10, 2009
COLUMBIA, Mo. - - Mizzou closed its opening homestand of the season with an 18-4 win over Western Illinois on Tuesday night at Taylor Stadium.
The Tigers opened the bottom of the first inning with five-straight base hits, starting with a lead off triple by freshman Ryan Gebhart. Sophomore Andrew Thigpen doubled in the inning to drive in a pair of runs.
Missouri (7-8) sent 14 batters to the plate in the fourth inning, putting 10 runs on the board. The Tigers had only five hits in the fourth, including RBI singles from senior Steve Gray, junior Aaron Senne and freshman Conner Mach. Junior Trevor Coleman drove in two runs on a double in the inning.
MU also drew three walks in the fourth inning and had two hit batters, along with an error by the Leathernecks.
Western Illinois (0-7) scored a run in the second inning, then put together a three-run top of the eighth inning.
Mizzou would add three runs in the bottom of the eighth, which included a two-run single by Gray.
Six Tigers had multiple hits in the game, including a 3-for-3 night by Thigpen.
Mizzou will open up Big 12 Conference play this weekend with a three-game series against Texas in Austin. Game one of the series will begin at 6 p.m. on Friday.
