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1. Now that's a way to start a regional...
Two games, two run-rule wins. After the 9-0 win in five innings over BYU on Thursday, Mizzou posted an 8-0 win in five innings over Nebraska. After BYU beat Louisville and Nebraska beat BYU, that means Mizzou has to beat Nebraska one more time today to advance. The Tigers will get two chances to do it, first at 1:30 p.m. CT, then at 4pm if necessary.
Asked who he'll start tomorrow for the first -- and possibly only -- game, Earleywine said he's gonna sleep on it. My prediction: Lowary
— Blake Toppmeyer (@btoppmeyer) May 20, 2016
Lowary has had bouts with wildness this year, but she's been key for this team. 24 wins are nothing to sneeze at. Where would MU be w/o her?
— Blake Toppmeyer (@btoppmeyer) May 20, 2016
In 2014, Finucane was hurt, and Earleywine went with Alora Marble in G1 vs Huskers. He saved Casey Stangel for G2. Missouri lost both
— Blake Toppmeyer (@btoppmeyer) May 20, 2016
Lowary's got the hot hand, so I think Earleywine will opt to try to take care of business in 1st game. But that's just my opinion.
— Blake Toppmeyer (@btoppmeyer) May 20, 2016
2. There's just one thing left to do: Win the whole f***in' thing.
#HooverBound✔
— #MizzouBaseball (@MizzouBaseball) May 21, 2016
With Mississippi State's win over Arkansas we have clinched the 11 seed at the @SEC Tournament! ⚾ #MIZ
Tim Jamieson's squad lost 2-1 to Kentucky but clinched an SEC Tourney bid with help from others. That'll do. As the No. 11, that means the Tigers will play a single-elimination game against the No. 6 seed on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. CT. Kind of a gross time, but maybe that's a good thing when you're attempting to pull an upset. Right now, it appears the No. 6 seed is likely to be either Vanderbilt or Ole Miss. Knowing how things typically go for Mizzou Baseball, it'll probably be Vanderbilt, and Vanderbilt will probably win with a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth.
3. Kim Anderson has his strength coach
Er, sorry, its Assistant Athletics Director for Athletic Performance.
MUtigers.com: @MizzouHoops Welcomes Athletic Performance Coach Nick Michael
Michael joined former Virginia Commonwealth assistant coach Mike Rhoades' new staff at Rice as strength and conditioning coach in April 2014, where he developed and implemented new athletic performance programs for the Owls for the 2014-15 season. He previously spent the 2013-14 season assisting Shaka Smart's VCU program as a strength and conditioning graduate assistant coach.
"Our Mizzou program is excited to add someone like Nick Michael to our staff," Anderson said. "His energy and passion for developing student-athletes is unquestioned. Add in the fact that he was an accomplished professional basketball player, and you have someone who we feel can connect with our guys and help them make the right choices, both in the weight room and nutritionally speaking. We feel he will help our players develop the strength and toughness that is necessary to be successful in the SEC. We cannot wait to have Nick and his wife, Keeley, join us in Columbia."
Michael played four seasons of professional basketball in Europe, spending time with Belfast Star in Ireland (2007) before suiting up for three German squads: TSVE Dolphins (2008-09), Giro Live-Ballers (2009-10) and Bayer Giants (2010-11).
The Trib: Michael taking over as Missouri's new strength and conditioning coach