Missouri Edges Oklahoma 7-6 In Baseball Action

COLUMBIA, Mo. - With the score tied at 6-6 in the bottom of the eighth inning, Missouri received a clutch two-out base hit to plate the go-ahead run and the Tigers held on to defeat Oklahoma 7-6 Saturday night at Taylor Stadium. Missouri second baseman Jeremy Hernandez singled off Oklahoma reliever Mike Swindell (2-6) to bring home Zane Taylor from second base with the game-winning run. The Sooners fought back from a two-run deficit to tie the game in the top of the sixth, but were unable to score in the final three innings. Oklahoma dropped to 21-29 overall and 9-17 in the Big 12 Conference, while Missouri improved to 34-17 and 15-10 in the league.

The loss puts Oklahoma in a tight battle for the final Big 12 Conference Tournament spot heading into Sunday's games. OU and after Texas Tech are battling it out with for eighth and final spot. The Red Raiders defeated Oklahoma State 8-2 Saturday. Kansas jumped into seventh place with a victory over Kansas State Saturday. To reach the league tourney, OU, which now sits in eighth place, must win Sunday's game or hope for a Tech loss to clinch the last spot.

The Sooners grabbed momentum and an early four-run advantage in the top of the second inning. After retiring the first four batters he faced, Missouri starting pitcher Garrett Broshuis experienced control problems which led to the early scores. Following a one-out base hit by OU sophomore right fielder Greg Kish (2-for-4), Broshuis loaded the bases by issuing a walk to junior catcher Spencer Wyman (1-for-3) and allowing junior shortstop Denver Kitch (0-for-4) to reach on an error. Broshuis then forced in the first three runs of the inning by consecutively walking two batters and hitting another. The fourth run of the frame was scored when freshman left fielder LaFringe Hayes (0-for-2) hit into a fielder's choice and senior designated hitter Matt Arkison (1-for-3) scored from third base as freshman third baseman Russell Raley (1-for-2) was caught in a run down between second and third base.

OU's 4-0 lead did not last long as MU struck back with five runs in the bottom of the third inning. The Tigers batted around the lineup and scored five runs on five hits. The Tigers got two key multi-RBI singles from shortstop Ian Kinsler and catcher Brad Flanders to drive in four of the runs.

Missouri tacked on another run in the fourth frame as designated hitter Bo Davis, who reached on a walk, scored on a sacrifice fly to right field by Kinsler.

Oklahoma drew even with Missouri at 6-6 in the top of the sixth inning as it plated two runs off MU reliever Andy Shipman (8-2). Kish and Wyman welcomed Shipman to the contest by tagging the hurler for a single and double, respectively. The duo then scored on consecutive ground out at bats by Kitch and Arkison.

Sooner starting pitcher David Purcey established several career bests in the game as he equalled his longest outing at seven frames and struck out a career high 10 batters. His 10 strikeouts also set a single game high for a Sooner pitcher this season. Aside for the five hits he gave up in Missouri's five-run third inning, Purcey surrendered just one more hit the rest of the game.

Oklahoma closes the regular season Sunday at 1 p.m. at Taylor Stadium. OU's Buddy Blair (4-6) will square off against MU's Derek Roper (4-1) on the mound.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Missouri Edges Oklahoma 7-6 In Baseball Action

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