University of Missouri
Ball State
Tigers Win Behind Tepesch's 12 K's
3/8/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 8, 2009
COLUMBIA, Mo. - - Missouri defeated Ball State, 7-6, on Sunday in the finale of a four-game series at Taylor Stadium. The Tigers won three of the four games on the weekend to claim the series victory.
For the second-straight Sunday, sophomore Nick Tepesch set a new career high for strikeouts, recording 12 against Ball State. He earned the win, his first of the season, to move to 1-1 on the year. Along with the 12 strikeouts, Tepesch did not walk a batter. He struck out eight against Arizona State last week.
Ball State (5-5) hit a pair of two-run home runs, one in the third inning and the other in the fourth to take a 4-0 lead before Mizzou put five runs across the plate in the fifth to take the lead.
Eleven Tigers went to the plate in the fifth inning, as MU scored the five runs on three hits and two Cardinal errors. Freshman Conner Mach had the big hit in the inning, connecting a three-run home run. It was his first career home run and extended his hitting streak to six games. Mach finished the game 3-for-4.
After MU took the lead in the fifth, Tepesch struck out the side in the top of the sixth inning.
Missouri (6-8) added a run in the bottom of the sixth and answered a Ball State run in the top of the seventh with one in the bottom of the inning. BSU would score once more in the top of the ninth.
Sophomore Brad Buehler pitched 1.1 scoreless innings in relief and senior Scooter Hicks pitched the ninth to record his third save of the season. Hicks now has 14 career saves, which puts him in a tie for fourth all-time at Mizzou.
In addition to Mach extending his hitting streak junior Aaron Senne (eight games) and junior Michael Liberto (seven games) kept their streaks alive on Sunday, as well.
The Tigers' six-game homestand will close on Tuesday as Western Illinois visits Taylor Stadium. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.
