Riding the emotions of a six game winning streak while facing the last-placed Missouri Tigers proved daunting to the young Florida baseball team Saturday.
The Gators dropped a 5-3 decision to fall to 31-19 and 12-14 in conference play. Missouri improved to 26-21 and 8-18 in SEC action.
Florida got out to an early lead in the first inning when Wyatt Langford scored on BT Riopelle’s RBI single to right.
The Gators tacked on another run as Riopelle ripped another RBI base hit (double), this time plating Sterlin Thompson.
The Tigers got one back in the fourth but the Gators rebounded by tacking on a run via a sacrifice fly by Riopelle in the top of the fifth.
A three-run homer by Torin Montgomery put Mizzou up 4-3 and spelled the end of RHP Brandon Neely’s outing.
RHP Fisher Jameson entered and shut down the Tigers offense for 1.1 innings.
The Tigers manufactured an insurance run of in the eighth to extend the lead to 5-3 before the Gators went down in order in the ninth to end the game.
Key Performances
- Thompson: 3-4, 2B, BB, R
- Riopelle: 2-3, 2B, 3 RBI
- Langford: 2-4, 2 R
Pitching Decision:
- W: Spencer Miles (4-5)
- L: Brandon Neely (2-1)
- S: Ian Lohse (3)
On Deck:
The rubber match of the series will take place Sunday with first pitch scheduled for 2:00 PM. Florida has announced Nick Pogue as the starter.