Come to Mizzou… Pitcher U!

Well, that’s what new (old?) pitching coach would like to do. Bring Mizzou back to its pitching glory days. In case you aren’t familiar, during Brian DeLunas’ first stint with the Tigers in 2007-09, he helped to develop first rounders Aaron Crow (2008) and Kyle Gibson (2009). According to Dave Matter’s article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, DeLunas said:

“What I’m looking forward to doing is trying to help build that (program) back into where we were known as a national pitching factory,” he said this week. “That’s really the goal and that’s the challenge. I know that they’ve fallen on some lean times in terms of what their pitching has done, but that’s what we want to be known for.”

Mizzou is in desperate need of a change after a — let’s call it like it is — pretty terrible season. What was supposed to be a good year for Beiser’s squad turned into a 15-36 season. According to Matter’s article, the pitching staff led the nation in walks and had a 7.24 ERA. DeLunas and Beiser are confident that this will bring much success to the Tigers team. From the press release at MUTigers.com:

“There’s no doubt we can get it done with the dedicated guys we have on campus and the future Tigers that are coming,” DeLunas continued. “We will all be focused on one goal: giving our absolute best effort to compete for the University of Missouri.”

His former players agree. Former Mizzou pitcher and current Texas Ranger, Kyle Gibson said:

“Coach DeLunas is one of the brightest pitching minds in all of baseball. He has experience developing pitchers at all levels of the game and his track record is off the charts. My three years with him and our staff at Mizzou had a huge impact on my career and where I am today. Coach B has just hired a man who on and off the field is a quality human being, and he is the perfect guy to be leading this pitching staff in the years ahead! Go Tigers!”

As we love to say around here, YOU LOVE TO SEE IT.

Onto the Links!

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Yesterday at Rock M

• BK and Nate were back with a brand new episode of the BTBS pod, this time chatting about shrinking… in regards to Mizzou’s players and college football rosters.
• Aaron reported the news of Mizzou’s latest commitment— an OT from Idaho.
• COMING UP: The “Team USA” TE is awarded.

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More Links:

Football

• As reported here at Rock M, Mizzou got a new commit in Connor Wood. You can read all about the commitment from Dave Matter (St. Louis Post-Dispatch) and Keith Farner (Saturday Down South).
• Could more good news be on the way? The bat signal seems to indicate as much.

• Could it be one Akayleb Evans? He’s announcing his decision today.

• Luther Burden, who would be the ultimate get, posted this beautiful photo clad in the black and gold on his instagram.

Hoops

• After what seems like 500 years, Mizzou will FINALLY get that home game against Utah on the schedule. Rock M’s own Matt Harris reacted to the news with a quick rundown of Mizzou’s non-con. (More info at MUTigers.com)

• With the new team on campus, Mizzou Men’s Hoops is back on the court.

• In the newest Blum’s Banter, Eric asks what should be made of Missouri head coach Cuonzo Martin’s recruiting track record.

Other Mizzou Sports

• Dave Matter held his weekly chat at STL Today, covering a variety of Mizzou sports. Check it out!
• Freshman Skylar Ciccolini finished ninth in the javelin throw at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships on Thursday, earning All-American honors. According to Joel Boenitz’s article in the Missourian, she was the highest placing freshman in the event, and will now. focus on the Olympic trials next week in Eugene, Oregon. Good luck, Skylar!
• And another bites the dust. Outfielder Brandt Belk, who played the last two seasons at Mizzou after previously playing at Pepperdine, has once again entered the transfer portal, according to Joel Boenitz of the Missourian.
• In regards to the ongoing battle for Name, Image & Likeness legislation for college athletes, Matter wrote about how Missouri lawmakers are cutting through the NIL b.s. for a bill to benefit college athletes.
• Mizzou pitcherJacob Kush is having quite a season. Great to see!

Mizzou in the NBA (AKA Utah Jazz Corner)

• Jordan Clarkson had a good night as the Fightin Quin Snyders took a 2-0 series lead over the Clippers with their 117-111 win on Thursday night. In his 27 minutes, he scored 24 points on 9-15 shooting (6-9 from three), with 1 rebound and 2 assists. Way to go, JC!!

• After a Filipino food truck that was vandalized with anti-Asian graffiti, Jordan Clarkson helped get it fixed up. This is great to read about.

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