@MizzouBaseball Welcomes UIC for Four-Game Weekend Series
3/3/2016 2:35:00 PM | Baseball
| GAME | LOCATION | DAY // TIME | LIVE STATS |
|---|---|---|---|
| UIC | Taylor Stadium | Friday, March 4 // 6 p.m. | Stats |
| UIC | Taylor Stadium | Saturday, March 5 // 1 p.m. | Stats |
| UIC | Taylor Stadium | Saturday, March 5 // 4 p.m. | Stats |
| UIC | Taylor Stadium | Sunday, March 6 // 1 p.m. | Stats |
Setting the Stage
- Mizzou Baseball takes a six-game winning streak into a four-game series with UIC this weekend at Taylor Stadium. The series begins Friday at 6 p.m. before a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday. The series will conclude Sunday at 1 p.m.
- Mizzou leads the all-time series with UIC, 7-3, after sweeping a three-game set from the Flames last season in Millington, Tenn. Mizzou outscored UIC, 15-4, in the three games last season and limited the Flames to just .215 hitting with only three extra-base hits and four walks as the pitching was sensational.
- Mizzou's pitching has been outstanding over the last five games, compiling a 0.98 staff ERA while allowing just five earned runs over those five games with a pair of shutouts. Mizzou is limiting batters to .198 hitting and the staff boasts a 39-7 strikeout to walk ratio in 46 innings, allowing just 32 hits without a homer.?
Pitching Matchups
- RHP Ian Lewandowski (1-0, 6.57 ERA) vs. Mizzou's RHP Reggie McClain (2-0, 0.00 ERA)
- LHP Jake Dahlberg (0-2, 12.27 ERA) vs. Mizzou's RHP Tanner Houck (2-0, 0.60 ERA)
- LHP Trevor Lane (1-1, 2.79 ERA) vs. Mizzou's LHP Austin Tribby (1-0, 1.42 ERA)
- RHP Charlie Cerny (0-0, 9.00 ERA) vs. Mizzou's LHP Michael Plassmeyer (0-1, 6.30 ERA)
Freshmen Getting It Done
The freshmen trio of Brian Sharp, Connor Brumfield and Ian Nelson has been sensational over Mizzou's six-game winning streak. The trio has gone a combined 24-for-59 (.407) with 13 runs, 18 RBI, 13 walks and five doubles over the six games. Sharp also added a win and two saves on the mound as he has been sensational out of the bullpen as the Tigers' closer, tossing 6.1 innings of shutout baseball, pitching Mizzou out of several big jams. In the opening weekend, the trio was just 2-for-21 with two runs and three walks as their production was a huge reason for Mizzou's six-game win streak.
Dynamic Duo
Mizzou's top two pitchers - Reggie McClain and Tanner Houck are arguably the top 1-2 punch in any pitching rotation in the SEC, which makes them one of most feared in the nation. So far this season, the duo is a combined 4-0 with a combined 0.28 ERA in 32.0 innings, allowing just 23 hits and four walks with 28 strikeouts. Since each came to Mizzou last season, they have pitched more innings than any than any duo in the SEC (233.2 IP) and have a combined 3.08 ERA and a combined 199-35 strikeout-walk ratio. They are a combined 19-12 in wins and losses as well. Last weekend, the two threw back-to-back complete games without allowing and earned run while surrendering just 12 hits while striking out 15.
Quick Hits
- Mizzou is second in the SEC with 11 double plays so far this season. Of the 11 double plays, seven have been inning-ending twin killings. Seven of the 11 have come from come from the middle infield duo of SS Ryan Howard and 2B Ian Nelson.
- After two weeks of play, Mizzou has showed a patient approach at the plate, drawing 47 walks, the third-most in the SEC. Only Vanderbilt (49 walks) and Mississippi State (48) have walked more than Mizzou so far this season.
- For the first time in his career, senior Austin Tribby took the mound as a starter last Saturday vs. Hofstra. He went a career-best 6.0 innings and struck out a career-best eight. It was his first start in 67 career appearances.
- Mizzou stole eight bases against Seton Hall in the second game of the season, the most by a Tiger team since 2011 against Le Moyne and just two off of the school record.
Up Next
Mizzou returns home to face Alabama A&M in a two-game midweek series next Tuesday and Wednesday. Tex Little and Trevor Coleman will have the call on KTGR and the games will stream live on the Watch ESPN App courtesy of SEC Network+. For all the latest on Mizzou Baseball, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team on Twitter @MizzouBaseball.
