What started as a pitchers’ duel between a pair of imposing lefties quickly turned into an offensive showcase for No. 6 Texas, defeating Mizzou 11-6. The Tigers avoided being run-ruled with six runs in the seventh inning after trailing 10-0.
Texas its first 10 runs in the third and fourth innings.
Casey Borba led off the scoring by launching a solo home run to right-center field. Dariyan Pendergrass followed with a single into right, scoring after a defensive error on a bunt by Jayden Duplantier. Pitcher Brady Kehlenbrink rushed the throw to Jase Woita at first, sending the ball into right field. This allowed Pendergrass to score and Duplantier to advance to second.
Carson Tinney homered to end a 13 pitch to bring Duplantier home and giving the Longhorns a 4-0 lead.
The Tigers eventually escaped the inning on a double-play and a Kehlenbrink pickoff.
Kam Durnin was the only Mizzou baserunner in the fourth with a double. Pitcher Luke Harrison sat down the next three hitters, striking out Donovan Jordan to end the frame.
Jackson Sobel came in to pitch for the Tigers in the bottom half of the inning, loading the bases with one out after a single, hit by pitch and a walk. He walked Duplantier, plating a run and giving the Longhorns a 5-0 lead.
Tinney rocked a grand slam for his second long-ball of the game. Pack followed suit with a solo shot to right on the subsequent pitch.
Before the sun had set in Austin, the Tigers trailed 10-0.
TJ Green finished the inning on the mound, limiting the damage and securing the final two outs.
After a pair of scoreless innings, Mizzou entered the seventh three outs away from a run-rule shutout loss. The Tigers loaded the bases with two hits and a hit batter. Mizzou before ending the shutout bid as Pierre Seals walked, scoring Jamal George. Harrison was removed from the game following the walk. He was credited with pitching 6⅓ innings, allowing four runs on five hits while striking out six batters.
Thomas Burns came into the game to pitch, allowing a bases-clearing double by Woita as Mizzou cut the deficit to six. A wild pitch allowed Woita to reach third before Durning walked, putting runners on the corners. Burns was removed after the at-bat, being credited with no outs but allowing two runs.
Ethan Walker surrendered a singular unearned run as Woita scored on a groundout by Blaize Ward. Brody Walls entered the game following the out, but a wild pitch allowed Durnin to score. He escaped after striking out Mateo Serna, keeping the Texas lead at four.
Adrian Rodriguez singled off Mizzou’s Kadden Drew to open the seventh, scoring on a single from Borba with the help of a wild pitch.
The teams swapped scoreless frames in the eighth, and Sam Cozart came in to close the door on an 11-6 victory with a strikeout of Durnin. The Longhorns clinched the series, handing Mizzou its 23rd Southeastern Conference loss.
Texas collected 14 hits, while Tigers ended the game with six.
“Can’t spot a team 10 runs,” Missouri coach Kerrick Jackson said to Tiger Radio postgame.
Kaden Peer was the only Tiger with multiple hits, picking up a single and a double. He was also hit by a pitch and scored while making a pair of great catches in center field.
Green was a bright spot among the pitchers, allowing no runs in two innings while giving up one hit. Luke Fricker ended the game, pitching 1⅓ innings while striking out two batters.
“Good outing for both those guys,” Jackson said.
The teams will play each of their final regular season game at 2 p.m. Saturday in the final game of the regular season in Austin, Texas.