Missouri Upsets New Mexico State 6-2 in Tucson Regional

Nobody wanted to go home early, but the New Mexico State Aggies will go home after two straight losses in the Tucson Region of the College World Series. New Mexico State lead the Missouri Tigers early in the game and carried a 2-1 lead through the first seven innings. However, Missouri’s bats came alive in the bottom of the 8th as they upset New Mexico State by a score of 6-2.

It was a pitching duel early between New Mexico State and Missouri. New Mexico State sent their #2 pitcher, Adam Mott, to the mound to start the game. Mott pitched seven and a third innings where he gave up two runs on seven hits, two walks, and five strikeouts. Mott was pulled after facing two batters in the 8th inning and Robert Kraft came in giving up two runs (one charged to Mott) on one hit. After facing only one batter, Kraft was pulled and Scott Coffman came into the game. Coffman faced four batters where he gave up three runs on two hits and walked one. The New Mexico State Aggies then used two more pitchers to record the last out of the 8th inning.

It was a much different story for the Missouri Tigers. Missouri sent their ace, Rob Zastryzny, to the mound to start the game. After giving up two runs in the top of the 1st, Zastryzny pitched five shut out innings. He went six innings giving up two runs on six hits, two walks, and five strikeouts. After Zastryzny left, Jeff Emens came into the game where he pitch three innings and gave up no runs on three hits and struck out three.

The only bat to show up for the New Mexico State Aggies was Zach Voight. Voight went 2 for 4 and walked once. Voight also had two RBIs scoring the only runs for New Mexico State in the game after he triple in the 1st inning off of Rob Zastryzny. The star of their game against Louisville, Zac Fisher, had a game to forget against Missouri. Fisher went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts. He was one of four New Mexico State batters to go hit less in the game.

The Missouri Tigers had two players come to life at the plate and they were Michael McGraw and Scott Sommerfeld. McGraw went 2 for 4 with two runs and an RBI. Sommerfeld went 3 for 4 with a run and three RBIs. Both McGraw and Sommerfeld tripled in the 8th inning of the game. Also, after a dismal game against Arizona, Dane Opel showed life as he went 1 for 2 with a run, an RBI, and a walk. Opel scored his run on the McGraw triple.

After losing two straight games in the Tucson Region, New Mexico State will be going home early. The #2 seed of the Tucson Region loss four straight games to end their season (two in the WAC Conference Tournament and two in the Tucson Regional). Missouri keeps their magical season alive. The Big 12 Conference Tournament Champion will await the loser of the Louisville and Arizona game later tonight.

Sunday, June 3rd

4:00 p.m. (PT) – GAME 5: Missouri Tigers vs Louisville Cardinals/Arizona Wildcats (ESPN3)
8:00 p.m. (PT) – GAME 6: Game 5 Winner vs Louisville Cardinals/Arizona Wildcats (ESPN3)

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