After a sudden loss for Missouri baseball, highlighted by Jase Woita’s 3-for-4 performance with two home runs, three RBIs and two runs scored, the Tigers returned looking for revenge. However, Mizzou’s offense was held to just two hits, and they were unable to defeat Oklahoma on Saturday, April 18.
Kehlenbrink’s 10 K Outing
Brady Kehlenbrink got the start for Mizzou, entering the game with a 3–5 record on the season and immediately setting the tone by retiring the side with a strikeout. He stayed steady
throughout, finishing with a dominant outing that included 10 strikeouts and just two walks, despite allowing eight hits and four runs.
The Sooners, however, were the first to break through. Deiten Lachance launched his third homer of the season to right for the game’s opening run, and later added more pressure as Oklahoma capitalized on small ball and timely hitting.
A couple of bunts helped load the bases in the third, and a single to left along with a sacrifice fly brought in two more runs to make it 3–0. Oklahoma extended the lead again in the fourth with an RBI double to right.
Kehlenbrink continued to battle, answering with strikeouts in bunches, before reaching double digits. Even as the Sooners kept putting balls in play, he consistently worked out of trouble, mixing flyouts and punchouts to limit further damage.
Offense Finds Moments, Not Runs
Mizzou’s offense struggled to get going early, but Mateo Serna provided a spark in the second inning after a gritty at-bat, fouling off pitch after pitch before lining a single to right for the Tigers’ first hit. He later reached again on a walk in the fifth, while Donovan Jordan was hit by a pitch, though the inning fizzled shortly after.
The Tigers had another chance brewing in the sixth when Ward reached on a throwing error and Kam Durnin followed with a single to left. Woita helped move the runners up with a groundout to second, but Oklahoma escaped the frame with a pop-up to shortstop.
Woita also had a moment defensively, dropping an infield pop-up in the third. Although, the infield fly rule was called, so the batter was still ruled out.
Last Bit of Hope
After Kehlenbrink’s strong outing, Trey Lawrence took over in relief and kept things under control with a strikeout, a walk and a key double play by Woita’s defense.
Durnin worked a walk in the eighth and advanced to third after a throwing error which was Oklahoma’s second miscue of the night, but Seals struck out to end the inning.
Lawrence kept things smooth, ending the eighth inning with back-to-back strikeouts, a triple and a groundout.
The game ended soon after, with the Tigers not able to record another hit, but their defensive play will not go unnoticed.
What’s Next for Mizzou
The Tigers will play their final game against Oklahoma, at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 18, hoping to prevent the Sooners from achieving a sweep. With Javyn Pimental on the mound for game three, Mizzou should be in good shape.
The game will be streamed on SECN+, and there will also be live stats available on statbroadcast.com.
Then, Missouri will head back home to play SIU Edwardsville for a one game matchup at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 21. Following this game, No. 16 Arkansas will head to Columbia, looking to pick up a series victory against Mizzou, but the Tigers will not go down without a fight.
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