...but this has been one helluva game.  NU got a masterful performance for six innings from Johnny Dorn and took a 1-run lead into the 7th before MU tied the game and drove Dorn from the game.  Now the heart of the order has put up a three-spot in the 8th, and we'll take a lead into the 9th.  How big a lead is yet to be determined, as Ryan Lollis is up with 2 outs and the bases loaded, up 4-1.

Crow has rediscovered his rhythm, I'd say.  8 innings, 7 K's, 4 hits, 3 BB's, 1 run.  I assume he'll come back out in the 9th, unless Lollis hits a grand slam here or something.

8-1 Tigers.

Crow still out there, hit the first batter of the inning.

Crow had an HBP, K, and then BB.

...unless Ian Berger collapses, this will be a short one today.  After three, it's 16-2 MU...and we've got all of 4 extra-base hits.  Andrew Thigpen's 2-for-2 with a HR and 4 RBIs, Greg Folgia has 3 RBIs, Jonah Schmidt has 2 RBIs, and, pure Mizzou fashion, we've walked 7 times and been hit twice.

Meanwhile, Berger has given up 6 baserunners and 2 runs in three innings, but today that's perfectly okay...

Tough call here on what to do with Berger in this game....part of me says you leave him in there for as long as you can just to minimize bullpen exposure....but...the other part of me says that there may never be a better game to expose someone to when you 10-12 or more runs...maybe get SOMEONE some confidence going towards the Big XII's next week

...you can send Berger back out if you really wanna...Greg Folgia, of all people, just hit a 3-run jack...19-5 Mizzou...

Moving to the bottom of the 8th, 22-8....I guess you put Allen out there to finish it just to save another arm for tomorrow just in case...though I would hate for him to throw two solid inninngs and then struggle.

Anyone want to wager on Big Brown?  1:5....good lord that is insane...

Allen gives up one run in the 9th, and Mizzou has taken the series already from NU, keeping their hold on 4th place over Texas.  Not sure what they have done today, but if they have lost, I believe we clinch it.

I have to believe it is Gibson tomorrow to try for the nationally-impacting sweep.

...I love that FSN is putting more and more Big 12 games on, but...they're mostly on Sunday, meaning at best we see #3 starter vs #3 starter.  Today, it's apparently even worse, as it appears we're saving Gibson and Zagone for the Big 12's and starting Nick Tepesch today.  Granted, this is a good opportunity for Tepesch to get some work, and Mizzou pitchers have done quite well on TV in the past, but nevertheless, this matchup won't be quite as exciting as seeing Crow vs Dorn or something.

...NU dude just stole second, and Trevor Coleman pegged him in the neck with the throw.

...single up the middle, nice manufactured run for NU.  Tepesch looking okay, but he's already at 40 pitches in 1 2/3 innings...

...and Mizzou's got two runners on with 1 out in the 2nd.

...Rick Zagone's on the mound now, and, 2:25 into the game, we're in the top of the 6th.  Back in Greg Maddox's prime, 2 hours, 25 minutes meant the game had been over for about 15 minutes, lol.

Mizzou's up 5-2, btw.

...8,091 attended this 3-game series, a new Mizzou record.  Lovely.  With the weather, I guess there was no excuse...though obviously I found an excuse, as I somehow managed not to attend a single one of these games.  I'm such a homebody.

...5-3 Mizzou now.  PLENTY of baseball still to be played tonight.  Thank god Taylor Stadium has lights.

...has suddenly turned into a cleanup hitter.  His third homer of the series (and fourth of the season, lol) makes the score 7-3 Mizzou.  One out in the sixth.

...both teams have brought in good pitchers, so hopefully there won't be anymore mid-inning subs...still 7-3 Mizzou...

...Thigpen makes a nice stab of a ball hit up the middle, twirls, and fires one about 30 feet above the first baseman.  Runner on 2nd with no outs for the Huskers...

...of Gibson having great stuff and batters really not being able to see pitches very well at this time of day have made him look positively dominating over the last three innings.  Mizzou wins 7-3 and sweeps the #5 team in the country.  A nice 6-0 weekend for Mizzou diamond sports...