ATHENS, Ga. – The Mizzou Baseball team recaptured its winning ways Friday night as the Tigers used a five-run third inning and key pitching out of the bullpen by junior RHP Cole Bartlett (Williamsburg, Ind.) to defeat Georgia, 8-5 at Foley Field. A pair of two-run singles in the third by junior 3B Alex Samples (Bridgeport, Texas) and freshman SS Chris Cornelius (St. Louis, Mo.) were the key blows in the inning that put Mizzou ahead 7-1 at the time. The win evened the three-game series at one win apiece, and improved Mizzou to 22-9 overall and 5-6 in Southeastern Conference play, while the Bulldogs fell to 14-18 and 4-7. The victory also broke a seven-game losing streak that saw Mizzou drop five one-run ballgames during the stretch.

Mizzou’s pitchers scattered 14 hits, but stranded 14 Georgia baserunners on the evening. Bartlett (4-0) was very effective out of the ‘pen, and he received the win after going the final 4.1 innings in scoreless relief to close out the game. Bartlett entered in the bottom of the fifth with two on and two out and Mizzou leading 8-5, and he induced an inning-ending groundout to end the threat. He struck out three batters and allowed four hits on the night.

After being shut out for the first time this season last night, the Tiger offense wasted no time Friday, thanks to a two-run first-inning opposite field home run by junior RF and Georgia native Trey Harris (Powder Springs, Ga.). His fifth long ball of the season gave the Tigers a 2-0 lead and came two batters after senior CF Kirby McGuire (Round Rock, Texas) led off the game with a walk. The Bulldogs cut the Mizzou lead in half in the bottom of the frame, scoring a run on a double and two singles off sophomore LHP Michael Plassmeyer. Plassmeyer would pitch 3.2 innings and allow three runs on eight hits and four strikeouts with one walk in his no-decision.

The Tigers sent nine batters to the plate in the decisive third inning. Four singles and a pair of walks did the damage, including the two-run singles by Samples and Cornelius. Samples flared one down the right field line with one out to make it 5-1, and Cornelius followed later with a sharp two-out single up the middle for a 7-1 advantage. McGuire again was the catalyst of the rally, as he led off the inning with a perfect bunt single, and the Tigers would load the bases with no outs, after freshman LF Kameron Misner (Poplar Bluff, Mo.) singled and Harris walked. Freshman DH A.J. Lewis brought in the first run of the frame for the Tigers as he coaxed a bases-loaded walk to score McGuire, for his first career run batted in that made it 3-1 at the time.

Georgia again responded with a pair of runs on three hits and a walk to close to within 7-3. McGuire single-handedly extended Mizzou’s lead to 8-3 in the fourth inning, as he led off the frame being hit by a pitch. He promptly stole second base and then stole third, and he raced home when an errant throw from Georgia’s catcher trying to cut him down at third base bounced into left field.

Mizzou’s freshman sensation LHP T.J. Sikkema, named a mid-season first-team Rawlings All-American earlier this week, came on in relief in the bottom of the fourth to thwart a potential Georgia rally. Plassmeyer left with two on and two out in the fourth, and after Sikkema issued a walk to load the bases, he left them loaded when he struck out the UGA cleanup hitter to end the inning. Sikkema got into trouble in the fifth, allowing two runs (only one earned) on a walk, error and a pair of run-scoring singles that made it 8-5. But Bartlett put out the fire by getting an inning-ending groundout to preserve the lead.

The final game of the three-game set will take place at 1:30 p.m. (eastern) from brand new SunTrust Park in Atlanta, Ga.

— Mizzou Athletics —

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Men’s Basketball head coach Cuonzo Martin announced three additions to his staff on Friday in director of athletic performance for men’s basketball Nicodemus Christopher, director of player development Marco Harris and director of basketball operations Paul Rorvig. Christopher and Harris join Martin from his staff at California, while Rorvig returns for his third season in his respective role and fourth season overall at Mizzou.

“Putting together a staff that will help the Mizzou Basketball program be at its very best on and off the court is always the goal, and I believe Nicodemus, Marco and Paul help us achieve that,” Martin said. “Having the same vision and beliefs is important, but this group’s fresh outlook and their ability to bring new ideas to the table will benefit us now and as we continue to grow as a family.”

Christopher has worked alongside Martin for the past five seasons, joining Mizzou’s new leader at California for three seasons after working the previous two campaigns at Tennessee. For the Black & Gold, Christopher will oversee all athletic performance-related efforts for the Tigers’ basketball program, including strength & conditioning, individualized training and nutritional and dietary programs.

A native of San Diego, California, Christopher originally joined Martin after serving as speed and conditioning coordinator for Purdue for the 2011-12 season. Along with working with the Boilermakers’ men’s basketball program, Christopher also oversaw sports performance for Purdue’s softball and track & field squads.

Prior to his arrival in West Lafayette, Indiana, Christopher worked as a sports performance coach at the Michael Johnson Performance Center in Dallas, Texas. Most notably, he worked with professional athletes from the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League (NHL) and from FC Dallas of Major League Soccer (MLS).

A 2007 graduate of Baylor University with a Bachelor’s degree in health and human performance, Christopher earned a master’s degree in kinesiology with an emphasis in biomechanics and anatomical kinesiology from the University of Texas at Tyler in 2010. Upon completing his education, Christopher interned as a strength coach at Stanford in 2010. Christopher is married to the former Fallon Smith, a native of San Jose, California.

Harris served as director of operations for the Golden Bears during Martin’s tenure (2014-17), also working in the same role for Martin at Tennessee (2011-14). Harris’ close relationship with Mizzou’s head coach dates back to their youth more than 30 years ago growing up together in East St. Louis, Illinois.

At Mizzou, Harris will have oversight of the program’s many initiatives to enhance the student-athlete experience within the basketball program. Harris will work on projects to grow campus and community involvement, while also fostering success in the classroom and off the court.

During Harris’ first two seasons at Tennessee (2011-13), he served as the Volunteers’ student-athlete welfare coordinator. In that role, he aided the program’s student-athletes in high achievement on the court, in the classroom and in the community.

Prior to coming to the collegiate ranks, Harris enjoyed success as a high school coach and entrepreneur. Harris’ Booker T. Washington High School squad out of Tulsa, Oklahoma, posted a perfect 21-0 record and claimed a state championship in 2011. In addition, Harris has owned and operated several businesses and has served in athletic administrative positions throughout his professional career.

A former student-athlete in his own right, Harris began on the diamond as a baseball player at Southern Illinois. After transferring to Southwestern Oklahoma State (1992-94), Harris worked his way to the starting point guard spot and team captaincy.

Harris earned an associate’s degree in business management from Southwestern Illinois College in 1992 before receiving a Bachelor’s degree in business management from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 1994. He is married to the former Ramona Knight, of Frogville, Oklahoma.

Rorvig continues in his role as director of basketball operations for the third season and his fourth overall at Mizzou. Formerly an associate director at the NCAA Eligibility Center (2010-14), Rorvig began his tenure at Mizzou as director of student-athlete development for the basketball program in 2014-15, focusing on academics and compliance, while also assisting with the team’s video operations.

The Odessa, Missouri, native brings a ­unique blend of basketball experience and administrative knowledge to Martin’s program. While in Indianapolis, he helped manage the high school review process, assisted in educational outreach efforts for the national office and conducted reviews for high schools exhibiting academic irregularities.

A two-time graduate of Central Missouri, Rorvig played for the Mules from 2002-05 and earned an undergraduate degree in social studies education in 2005, followed by a Master’s degree in secondary school administration in 2007. As a standout at Odessa High School, he claimed school records for career points (1,877), three-point percentage (.392) and blocked shots (172). His 355 career three-point field goals made ranks No. 1 all-time in Missouri state history.

Rorvig is married to the former Jena Shackelford. Both played basketball at Central Missouri. Jena is the all-time leading three-point shooter in school history. The Rorvigs welcomed twin boys to their family in March 2016, Jameson and Camden.

— Mizzou Athletics —