Tiger Bats Power 12-1 Win on Opening Day

THIBODAUX, La. – Junior center fielder Ty Wilmsmeyer went 3-for-5 with three RBI in a career day to lead Missouri baseball to a 12-1, run-rule win over Nicholls State on opening night. The 12 runs tied for the most scored by the Tigers (1-0) in a season opener since 1999.

Wilmsmeyer set career highs with three hits, three RBI, three runs scored and his first homer as a Tiger. The speedy outfielder finished a triple shy of the cycle on the night. Sophomore Trevor Austin also had a multi-hit game, including a two-run blast to open the scoring in the second inning. Mizzou scored three runs in the second, two in the third and six in the fourth to blow the game open.

On the mound, Mizzou used a solid start from junior Spencer Miles (1-0) who tossed four innings and surrendered just a single run to cruise to the win. Miles was followed by redshirt sophomore Kyle Potthoff who worked three scoreless innings with two strikeouts to earn the save in his first career outing for the Tigers.

Nicholls (0-1) used a pair of singles in the fourth to score its lone run of the night. Nico Saltaformaggio (0-1) took the loss for the Colonels.

IMPACT INNING

Following a leadoff walk from designated hitter Fox Leum in the top of the second, Austin uncorked a towering blast to left field to give Mizzou the early lead. The Tigers would keep the pressure on with a double from Wilmsmeyer who later scored on an RBI-fielder’s choice from Tre Morris. The 3-0 lead proved more than enough as the Tigers ran away for the 12-1 victory.

TOP TIGERS

Ty Wilmsmeyer: 3-for-5, HR, 2B, 3 RBI

Trevor Austin: 2-for-3, HR, 2B, 2 RBI

Ross Lovich: 2-for-3, 2B, RBI

Kyle Potthoff: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 K, 0 BB

IN THE NOTES

• Austin’s two-run home run was the third of his career. The two RBI were his third and fourth as a Tiger.
• Tigers’ ace Spencer Miles produced a solid outing in his first start of the season, going 4.0 IP while allowing a single run on four hits.
• Third baseman Luke Mann made it three home runs for the Tigers on the day with his solo shot to left center in the fourth inning.
• Every Mizzou starter had a hit in the game, tallying 13 as a starting lineup.
• The 12 runs matched opening day performances against Nevada (2009) and UNCW (2003) as the most for the Tigers in a season opener this century.
• Freshmen Carlos Peña and Hector Mangual each picked up their first collegiate hits and RBI. Peña singled in the fourth while Mangual, who entered as a pinch hitter, singled in the sixth.
• Eight Tigers made their debuts in the opening day win.
• Tre Morris drove in a pair of runs and swiped a bag.

UP NEXT

The Tigers and Colonels return to Didier Field for game two of the series on Saturday at 6 p.m. Sophomore Austin Troesser is scheduled to get the ball for the black and gold.

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-MUTigers.com-