COLUMBIA, Mo. — Led by a four-run first inning and a strong outing from starting pitcher Chandler Murphy, the University of Missouri baseball team cruised past No. 2 Tennessee, 9-1, in the Southeastern Conference opener for both clubs Friday afternoon at Taylor Stadium.
Murphy (3-1) limited the defending SEC champions to one run on three hits over 6.0 innings, striking out five Volunteers in notching his third consecutive victory. Rorik Maltrud was equally as impressive in relief, locking down the win with five more punchouts over 3.0 perfect innings.
Paced by Trevor Austin’s 2-for-3 day that included a pair of doubles and three runs scored, the Missouri offense clicked throughout the afternoon. Five Tigers recorded multi-hit games, as MU outhit UT by an 11-3 margin.
The onslaught started early, as Mizzou (14-3, 1-0 SEC) gashed UT starter Chase Dollander (3-2) for four consecutive extra-base hits in the first to grab a commanding 4-0 lead. Ross Lovich, who finished 2-for-4, started the rally with a one-out double, before Dalton Bargo (2-for-4) drove him home with a two-bagger for a 1-0 Mizzou lead.
Austin followed with a run-scoring double, and Hank Zeisler (2-for-3) plated a third MU run with his RBI triple into the right-field corner. Juju Stevens’ grounder to short brought home Zeisler for a four-run Tiger cushion.
Following another Lovich double two innings later, Bargo knocked in his second run of the day with a…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at University of Missouri Athletics…