With the game tied at four, Erich Weiss mashed his third double of the game to lead off the top of the 8th inning. Four innings prior the Horns had used Augieball to manufacture a run and tie the game at 4, but this time cleanup hitter Jonathan Walsh was swinging away. He struck out on a ball at his ankles and Weiss would not advance when Jacob Felts flied to deep left. Instead of Corey Knebel coming in and finishing Missouri in the 8th and 9th, the Horns relied on Nathan Thornhill and Hoby Milner to keep the game tied. Missouri scored a run on a double to deep center in the bottom of the 8th and the Horns fell 5-4.
Saturday's loss encapsulated the season. An Erich Weiss homer in the 1st gave Texas a 2-0 lead early. In the bottom of the 1st Alex Silver bobbled a grounder to allow a man on with one out. A slow roller to Jordan Etier could have been a double play, but Etier was beaten to second by the Missouri baserunner and the Tigers had two on when the inning could have been over. Dillon Peters never really got going and left in the 3rd having given up four runs (three earned) on five hits. Thornhill pitched a masterful five innings of relief, being saddled with a run and the loss when Milner allowed the inherited runner to score in the 8th.
The Horns scratched and clawed all game but Walsh's 0-4 day, less than stellar starting pitching and imperfect defense ultimately doomed Texas. With the Aggies in very good shape to sweep Texas Tech, the Horns may have to win tomorrow to stay even for second place in the conference. The Ags traveling to Oklahoma State next weekend and Texas may need to win tomorrow and take the Baylor series to keep pace.
The Missouri rubber match starts today at 1 PM. Ricky Jacquez should get the start by default as Thornhill, French and Peters have all thrown this weekend. Join us here for the last Missouri game open thread.