Missouri Baseball Hits Four Home Runs in Win Over CSU Bakersfield

In the opening game of the Tony Gwynn Legacy series, the Tigers doubled the Roadrunners score to get the win.

The Missouri Tigers couldn't have won without the long ball.

Missouri sent four solo home runs out of Tony Gwynn Stadium in order to get their 6-3 win over the CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners. CSU Bakersfield tried for a late comeback in the eighth and ninth, but was not successful.

Missouri's starting pitcher Javyn Pimental struck out the side in the first inning and if you ignore the fact that a home run came in between the first and second out, it was a pretty good inning for the pitcher. But that run started CSU Bakersfield's offense for the night, and their bats weren't quiet. 

But they weren't alone, however. The Tigers were able to get their bats on the ball three times in the second inning and sent all three of those balls went out of the park. 

Missouri's junior left fielder Isaiah Frost played 31 games over his last two years as a Tiger and never got a hit. But in his first game of the 2024 season, Frost sent a home run over the centerfield wall for his first collegiate hit to tie the game in the second inning. Shortstop Drew Culbertson and second baseman Trevor Austin sent back-to-back balls out of the park to follow Frost's and give them the lead.  

After the Roadrunners tied the game up again, Austin fired another home run over the wall in the top half of the inning for his first career multi-home run game and to keep the Tigers in the lead. 

The Tigers' put on a well-rounded performance on the bases against the Roadrunners. They recorded 11 hits with three doubles, four home runs and four stolen bases. Austin and Culbertson both recorded multi-hit games for the Tigers, combining for five hits and three of the runs.  

Missouri seemed to have CSU Bakersfield's starter Ryan Verdugo's number in the game, they recorded their first four runs on CSU Bakersfield's veteran starter. But the Tigers' offense was still plagued by strikeouts, racking up five through the first five innings against Verdugo.   

Pimental's debut didn't go how he wanted it to. His fairly short outing was riddled with hits in each inning, eventually racking up for three runs. If he can clean up some of his pitches and settle in, he showed great promise for future outings, striking out five in 3.2 innings. 

In relief for the Tigers, Brock Lucas tossed 4.1 innings, only allowing three hits and striking out four. Lucas's downfall was hitting two CSU Bakersfield players, but neither came around to score. Jacob Peaden came in for Missouri and gave up a hit and a walk before he successfully closed the game. Tigers' pitching left 12 on base and struck out 10 to keep the Tigers ahead. 

Missouri's pitching wasn't helped out by their defense. In the second inning, Culbertson kicked the ball trying to field and first baseman Jackson Lovich rushed himself on a transfer. Two errors by the Tigers resulted in two of the three runs scoring in the game. 

Even though Missouri came away with the win, the game was also punctuated by missed opportunities. Thankfully, Missouri didn't end up needed the 10 players on they stranded on the bases. 

Pimental, Frost, right fielder Kaden Peer and designated hitter Juju Stevens made their 2024 debut in this game. Despite his lacking performance at the plate, Peer put on a defensive show in the outfield with a diving catch. Stevens earned a hit in the first inning and was hit by a pitch, but didn't do much else in his first appearance. 

Missouri improves their record to 3-1 for the season and drops CSU Bakersfield to 0-5. The Tigers are back in action against San Diego State on Feb. 23 at 8 p.m. CT at Tony Gwynn Stadium.  

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