TJ Sikkema joins some e-l-i-t-e company in Missouri history
Sikkema, Missouri’s ace, was named a semifinalist for the 2019 Golden Spikes Award, becoming the third Mizzou player to make that cut.
The guys he joins? Maybe you’ve heard of them:
- Kyle Gibson (2009)
- Aaron Crow (2008)
Not too shabby.
Sikkema is one of 16 (SIXTEEN!) SEC players to make the cut to 25, and his numbers speak for themselves. Sikkema is 7-3 with a 1.36 ERA in 16 appearances (79.2 innings) with 91 strikeouts. He’s No. 2 in the SEC in ERA and tied for fifth in strikeouts.
While he almost assuredly won’t win the award, it’s a fantastic honor for Sikkema, who has led Missouri to a fantastic season with eyes on a No. 2 regional seed. That goal can become a reality beginning Thursday, as Missouri hosts Florida in a three-game series to close the regular season.
Based on this series, Missouri will finish the regular season anywhere from 37-18-1 (best-case) to 34-21-1 (worst-case). The Tigers are 4-20 all-time against Florida, but this isn’t the same Gators’ team of recent vintage as they are 30-23 overall and 10-17 in SEC play. The Gators have dropped two in a row and are 3-12 on the road — good news for Missouri!
First pitch Thursday is at 6:30 p.m. CT, and the game is on SEC Network+ — but if you’re in Columbia, really consider making the trek to Taylor Stadium for a game this weekend.
Sikkema will be on the bump on Friday. Get to know him a little bit closer before then:
From a relative unknown from Dewitt, Iowa, to one of the all-time great #Mizzou hurlers
— Mizzou Baseball (@MizzouBaseball) May 16, 2019
Learn more about junior LHP @TJSikkema17 journey as a Tiger the past three years in CoMo#MIZ #ShowMe #C2E ⚾ pic.twitter.com/nrE4dVbZ2N
Yesterday at Rock M
- Matt Harris gives his scouting report on Mizzou basketball’s latest addition, saying Kobe Brown’s game is a black box
- Missouri women’s basketball announces arrivals of two transfers: Tulsa’s Shug Dickson and South Carolina’s LaDazhia Williams
More Links:
- Kobe Brown was officially announced as a member of Missouri’s 2019 men’s basketball recruiting class on Wednesday after he committed on Tuesday. Here’s what Cuonzo Martin said about the 6-foot-7 wing:
“Kobe is a do-it-all guy who can stretch the floor as a forward with his shooting ability,” Martin said. “He’s an excellent passer and has a great feel for the game on both ends. He’s won at a high level and, most importantly, he has the work ethic and drive to succeed that fits our program. We’re very excited to get him here in a few weeks and go to work this summer.”
- From Rivals.com, four-star tight end Kole Taylor will take an official visit to Missouri soon (PREMIUM).
- Fangraphs has Mizzou OF Kameron Misner going at No. 23 overall to the Colorado Rockies in its latest mock draft.
- Forgot to include this yesterday — the LA Rams announced the signings of 22 undrafted free agents, including Missouri TE Kendall Blanton.
- ABC has announced its first three Saturday prime-time games of the 2019 college football season:
The first three ABC Saturday Night Football games. pic.twitter.com/HkO8XKuq5a
— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) May 15, 2019