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 Senior Kurt Calvert |
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No. 6 Mizzou Opens 2008 with 7-1 Victory Over UConn
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Feb. 22, 2008
DeLAND, Fla.-- - No. 6 Missouri opened up the 2008 season by recording a 7-1 win over Connecticut at the Stetson Invitational in DeLand, Fla. on Friday. Preseason All-American Aaron Crow got the opening day start for the Tigers and earned the win. The junior right-hander struck out seven in five innings pitched, including four-straight strikeouts to end the first inning and open the second. Crow allowed just one run on six hits to pick up the 11th victory of his career. "Aaron was good for his first time out this year," Head Coach Tim Jamieson said. "He'll be better next time and will continue to be better." Senior Kurt Calvert had a career-high three hits, finishing 3-for-4 with a double, a stolen base, three RBI and a run scored. The three RBI also matched a career best for Calvert. The Tigers fell behind in the third inning as the Huskies scored the game's first run. The lead was short-lived for UConn as Missouri scored three times in the bottom of the third to pull ahead. Sophomore Greg Folgia reached on an error and junior Kyle Mach was hit by a pitch to start Mizzou's half of the third. Senior Lee Fischer advanced both of the runners with a sacrifice bunt and Calvert singled to drive in Folgia for MU's first run of the game. Sophomore Aaron Senne followed with a single to drive in Mach and Calvert, putting the Tigers up 3-1. Mizzou put together another three-run inning in the fourth to increase its lead to five. With the bases loaded, Mach and Fischer were each hit by a pitch, allowing two runs to score. Calvert then drove in his second run of the day with a sacrifice fly.
The Tigers added a run in the bottom of the eighth inning as Calvert collected his third RBI on a double to the wall in centerfield to dive in Fischer. Junior Ian Berger, freshman Tyler Clark and junior Scooter Hicks combined for four innings of scoreless work out of the bullpen for the Tigers. "It's a win and a good win to start the year," Head Coach Tim Jamieson said. "I thought we played well and were good enough to get the win. First games are always tough. There's some nervousness and some anxiousness as you just try to nail down all 27 outs." With the win, Mizzou improves to 9-4-1 in season openers under Head Coach Tim Jamieson and has won five of its last six openers. Missouri will face Michigan State on Saturday in day two of the Stetson Invitational. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. ET (Noon CT) in DeLand. Junior Rick Zagone is slated to get his first start of the season for the Tigers. |
