Tough ending to a banner weekend on the diamond

• Mizzou Baseball got the run support in what could have been a series-sweeping third game, but the pitching let them down in a 9-8 loss to Jacksonville State.

The Tigers fell behind 5-1 after one inning of play, but immediately responded with four runs in the top half of the second to even the score. Mizzou briefly possessed a 6-5 lead in the fourth inning, but Jacksonville State answered with one run in the bottom half, two runs in the sixth and one in the seventh.

It was disappointing end to the weekend, in which the Tigers secured their third straight opening season series win under Steve Bieser. Ian Bedell was dominant and Konnor Ash more than solid in the two opening wins (the second of which took 12 innings to decide), and the offense averaged 8 runs a game. Senior Peter Zimmerman (mentioned in our preview of the offense on Friday) had an especially big weekend, slashing .444/.667/.667 over three games. The Tigers have the week off before heading to Corpus Christi on Friday for the Kleberg Bank College Classic.

• Mizzou Softball was the victim of some revenge on Sunday, falling 10-1 to No. 14/13 Minnesota. The Gophers were avenging their loss from earlier this season, when the Tigers beat them 7-4 in extra innings.

“Today was a tough one, but our team is going to grow closer from moments like this,” head coach Larissa Anderson said. “I thought it was important for our young pitchers to experience some high-pressure situations. I’m so proud of where this team is at right now, but we need to continue to attack every single pitch.”

Mizzou is off to its best 11-game start since 2016. The weekend ended up being a 2-2 split, but the Tigers notched four more wins, including a Top 25 win over No. 16 Oklahoma State. Their two losses came against Minnesota and No. 20 James Madison in an 8-7 extra innings matchup. They’ll play in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic this weekend in Cathedral City, Ca.

Yesterday at Rock M

• FanPulse CBB: The confidence ticks up with improved play
• Despite a Missouri win, foul fests are still tough to watch
• Study Hall: Mizzou 85, Auburn 73
• Mizzou-Auburn Photo Gallery... AND A VIDEO!

More Links:

• His team took a tough loss on Sunday, but jeeeeeeeeeeez L’Damian Washington has still got that speed!

For the Roughnecks, Kony Ealy had three tackles and Walter Palmer had six, including a half sack.

• Jacquies Smith logged another half sack and Marcell Frazier grabbed a few tackles in the Seattle Dragons’ defense-heavy effort against the Tampa Bay Vipers.
• PowerMizzou subscribers can go into their Film Room on Montra Edwards, while Gabe and Mitchell did their usual post-basketball game feature on Mizzou’s dynamic guard play against Auburn.
• Souichi Terada at the KC Star wrote about the upward trajectory of Mizzou’s season after a successful run of games against tournament-level teams.
• Kevin Graeler at the Columbia Tribune highlighted the inspiring message Cuonzo Martin gave to his players before and after their win on Saturday.
• Dave Matter wrote about the dynamic duo forming in Mizzou’s backcourt. Hint: It ain’t the Smiths.
• Aijha Blackwell was on a roll, but the Missouri women couldn’t top Florida in Gainesville on Sunday. Eli Lederman covered the game for PowerMizzou.
• DeMarre Carroll opened up about the tough season he’s having in San Antonio. Also, he’s starting a clothing line!

• Redshirt sophomore Ross Steelman finished in the Top 10 at the weekend Gators Invitational to kick off the spring golf season.
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