COLUMBIA, Mo. – – Mizzou Baseball (12-23, 5-11 SEC) rode a stellar start from redshirt sophomore Seth Halvorsen and a pair of two-run home runs to topple Georgia (24-13, 7-9 SEC) 6-4 in Friday's series opener at Taylor Stadium.
The Tigers jumped ahead early behind a lead-off double from senior Clayton Peterson who came around to score on an RBI-single from fifth-year Andrew Keefer in the first inning. Missouri added to its lead in the fourth inning on a two-run home run to left from junior Cameron Swanger that brought in sophomore Torin Montgomery to make it 3-0.
The Bulldogs broke through with a two-out, RBI-single in the fifth to close within 3-1. It was Georgia's first hit of the day.
In the sixth inning, Missouri put two more runs on the board with a two-run shot to left field from junior Tre Morris that brought in Montgomery for the second time.
Georgia mounted a late rally in the top of the ninth with a three-run homer, but senior Konnor Ash ended the day with his fourth strikeout.
Halvorsen (4-2) threw seven innings of one-run ball while allowing just a single hit. He struck out six for his second-straight quality start at Taylor Stadium.
#ShowMe top performers
HEAR FROM THE SKIPPER
Head coach Steve Bieser on a strong start to the series…
"Definitely the game that we've been looking for here to see the guys come out and play a complete game both on the mound and really good a- bats – a lot of unselfish at-bats. [We] put together a great defensive effort as well, so you've got to be happy with this one and we've just got to continue to build off of this."
#MIZ TAKEAWAYS
- Clayton Peterson recorded his first extra-base hit of the season on a lead-off double in the first inning.
- Halvorsen matched his career-long outing of 7.0 IP, which he previously accomplished against Texas A&M earlier this season. He also picked up his 50th strikeout of the season in the third inning.
- Swanger's two-run bomb in the fourth inning brings him to four on the season, which is tied for second-most on the team.
- Morris' homer was his second on the season.
UP NEXT
Mizzou looks to clinch the series in the second of the three-game set on Saturday at 4 p.m. on SEC Network.
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