The Tigers defeated the Vols 7-4, 7-1 in a pair seven-inning games. This was their first win in an Southeastern Conference opening series since 2018, when Alabama beat them two games to one. It also marked the first time that Tennessee had been swept against Arkansas since April 2019.
This sweep gives Missouri both a major win over a conference opponent and a noteworthy performance against a team widely considered to be one of the top college baseball teams. Bieser's message remains focused on the need to improve and move ahead.
Although the Tigers struggled with striking outs, they justified their aggressive approach at the plate by executing incredibly effective first-pitch strikes and early-game rallies that helped them take control early and often.
The series was concluded by the Tigers' first five hitters. They had a slash line.333/.403/.972. They also drove in 10 of their 23 runs, although the biggest contributions were made in the first two games.
Trevor Austin was a steady presence in the Tigers' lineup. He had five hits in nine at bats, drove in four runs, and scored four runs. Ross Lovich and Dalton Bargo also contributed significantly, with six RBIs and five extra base hits.
The Tigers scored four runs in the first game thanks to consecutive extra-base hits by Lovich, Bargo, and Hank Zeisler. The Vols were unable to take advantage of this early lead as Mizzou's pitching staff kept them to one run on three hits.
The Tigers capitalized in the bottom of the third innings on a series defensive errors and singles to load bases and score two runs. Cam Chick then doubled off the right-centerfield wall and brought in two more. Although the Tigers' bats were cooling down in the final game, they still managed to score seven runs on six hits and clinch a 7-1 victory.
Chandler Murphy improved his record by going six innings with five strikeouts. Rorik Maltrud pitched a perfect three innings and had five strikeouts to complete the win in the SEC opener. The Vols left four out of five runners on base and Christian Moore scored the Vols' only run.
The pitching staff was less effective in keeping Tennessee off the bases, but more effective at stranding runners. Zach Franklin and Ian Lohse combined for seven innings. They combined for 10 strikeouts with seven groundouts, leaving seven Tennessee runners on base. Franklin won the series-clinching victory. He threw five innings and gave up four hits and one earned ran.
Missouri had a more interesting game on the mound in the series' final win. Austin Troesser (2-1), pitched 4.2 innings and allowed one earned run on no hits, a walk, while striking out seven. He had a no-hitter through the fifth inning, when Bieser pulled the starter at 64 pitches. There was a runner on second and two runners out.
The Vols struck out 32 runs over the weekend, but struggled to make contact and did so only weakly in many of their at bats. Tennessee managed just six runs on nine hits and left a total 13 runners on base.
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