COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Baseball topped Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 13-1, Tuesday night at Taylor Stadium to extend its winning streak to three games. Junior RHP Andy Toelken (Green Cove Springs, Fla.) tossed a gem, throwing his first career complete game and the first nine-inning complete game this season. Toelken dominated on the bump as he flirted with a no-hitter through 5.2 innings and gave up just a pair of hits and a single run while striking out a career-high seven.
Mizzou was led offensively by freshman OF Kameron Misner (Poplar Bluff, Mo.), who knocked in a career-high four runs and reached base in each of his four at bats as he tallied a triple, a pair of doubles, and a walk
With the victory, Mizzou improves to 24-9 on the season. In the win, Connor Brumfield (Columbia, Mo.) and Kirby McGuire (Round Rock, Texas) also had multiple hits. Mizzou pounded out 14 hits, its most since slugging 15 against Western Carolina on March 8, while its 13 runs were the most since hanging a season-high 27 on Eastern Michigan on Feb. 18.
Mizzou gained an advantage early, deploying an offensive barrage in the bottom of the second as they tallied three consecutive doubles. Robbie Glendenning (Scarborough, Australia) doubled into right and was knocked in for the game’s first run on a Misner two-bagger. Brett Bond (St. Louis, Mo.) then laced another double down the left field line to give Mizzou a 2-0 advantage. Two batters later, Brumfield smashed a RBI single up the middle to extend the lead.
Mizzou shortstop Chris Cornelius (St. Louis, Mo.) made a dazzling backhand play in the top of the fourth on a hard-hit groundball in the hole on the left side. The highlight was completed with a pick at first base by Brian Sharp (Liberty, Mo.).
In the bottom of the fourth, Mizzou stretched its lead to four as Brumfield knocked in Misner on a two-out single into right. The base knock made Brumfield 3-for-3 on the evening, which moved him into the team lead for three-hit games. It was his third three-hit performance this season and his team-leading 12th multi-hit game.
Mizzou broke the game open in the fifth as they put a five spot on the Lions. The frame was highlighted by a Misner three-run triple over the head of the UAPB centerfielder. Misner tallied four RBI in the game, his season-high. After five Mizzou led 9-0.
In the top of the sixth, Toelken lost his no-hit bid on the 20th batter he faced. UAPB’s Aderly Perez doubled down the left field line and later scored on a base hit. Nonetheless, Toelken continued to dominate as he pitched the full nine innings, the longest start of his career.
Mizzou added to its’ lead as they notched a run in the seventh and three in the eighth on a three-run bomb by junior right fielder Trey Harris (Powder Springs, Ga.). Harris now has a team-leading seven home runs and also sits at seventh place in the SEC. That gave Mizzou its 13 runs as it claimed the 13-1 decision.
Mizzou and UAPB will wrap up their two-game series Wednesday at 4 p.m.
— Mizzou Athletics —
