Missouri Baseball Earns Their First SEC Series Win Against the No. 6 Florida Gators

They did it. Missouri took the series win against No. 6 Florida.

The last time the Tigers won a series against the Gators was back in their stellar 2015 year in which they went 15-15 in SEC play. They've done it again nine years later with just their seventh ever win against Florida. 

This time, the Tigers handed Florida their first series loss of the year with it.

One day after their 11-inning win, Missouri beat the Florida Gators 4-3 in another close game. This win earned them their first SEC series win of the year, as well. 

The start of the second game was almost exactly like the start of the first game of the series — except Missouri got two runs in the first inning instead of one.

Two games in a row, sophomore left fielder Jeric Curtis led the Tigers off with a hit in his first at-bat and was the first person to cross the plate. In this game, he scored on a wild pitch that advanced him and sophomore right fielder Jackson Beaman, who got on base by a walk. Beaman then came home on a single from Kaden Peer to put the Tigers up by two to start the game.

The Tigers defense kept rolling into game two with a snazzy double play in the top of third. The ball was lined up the middle to senior second baseman Matt Garcia who executed a perfect glove flip to freshman shortstop Drew Culbertson to get the first out at second. Culbertson then spun around and fired the ball to first to beat out the runner.

Missouri’s starter, junior Javyn Pimental dealt 4 2/3 innings of shutout ball, before Florida was finally able to get their first run across. The Tiger’s allowed Florida’s Brody Donay to get on base with a hit by pitch and advance to second on a balk. Donay advanced to third on a groundout and came home on an RBI single that Garcia struggled to field.

Pimental gave the Tigers the best chance he could to earn their second win of the series against Florida. In his five innings, he only gave up one run on three hits and fanned five.

It wasn’t until Florida’s Jac Caglianone’s two-run home run in the top of the sixth that went well over the right field wall that the Gators took their first lead of the series.

Two days in a row, junior catcher Jedier Hernandez came through for the Tigers at the plate. In this game, he brought in the game-tying run in the bottom of the sixth with a two-out single. The run could not have been achieved without Austin’s single and sophomore designated hitter Jackson Lovich’s walk to get runners in scoring position. Lovich was the next batter to come home and he crossed the plate on a wild pitch.

Missouri regained the lead against the No. 6 Florida Gators. The Tigers only gave up the lead for half an inning in the series so far. 

With the game on the line, sophomore pitcher Brock Lucas threw a strike that Florida’s Ty Evans just watched go past him with the bases loaded. Lucas kept the lead for Missouri. Despite how he pitched previously in the game — he gave up the two runs that turned the lead over to the Gators — Lucas came through when they needed him.

Graduate pitcher Ryan Magdic held out for the final two innings to close the game and keep the Tigers ahead. He only gave up one hit to close out the game and pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning to secure the win. 

Missouri improves to 14-18 on the season and 3-8 in SEC play, while the Gators drop to 17-13 on the season and 6-5 in SEC. The Tigers will take the field at 1 p.m. on Sunday to get the sweep. 

How it Happened:

• 5:00 p.m.- Ryan Magdic enters the game in relief for the Tigers in the top of the eighth. 
• 4:39 p.m.- Missouri regains the lead in the bottom of the sixth with a Jedier Hernandez single that brought in Trevor Austin, who got on with a single. A wild pitch brought Jackson Lovich home, who reached on a walk. 4-3 Tigers
• 4:20 p.m.- After a single, Jac Caglianone unleashed a two-run homer well over the right field wall to give the Gators the lead. 3-2 Gators
• 4:17 p.m.- Brock Lucas takes the mound in relief for the Tigers in the top of the sixth.
• 4:09 p.m.- Florida gets its first baserunner across in the top of the fifth with a hit to Matt Garcia that he struggled to field. 2-1 Tigers
• 3:18 p.m.- Kaden Peer singled through the right side to bring Jackson Beaman across the plate in the bottom of the first. 2-0 Tigers
• Jeric Curtis reached first on a lead-off ground ball and Jackson Beaman walked. Trevor Austin advanced both runners with a sacrifice bunt. A wild pitch brought Jeric Curtis home. 1-0 Tigers
• First pitch is set for 3 p.m.

How to Watch: Missouri vs Florida

What: Missouri Tigers (12-18, 1-8 SEC) at Florida Gators (17-11, 6-3 SEC)

Where: Taylor Stadium, Columbia, Mo

When:

• Friday, April 5 at 6 p.m. CT
• Saturday, April 6 at 3 p.m. CT
• Sunday, April 7 at 1 p.m. CT

TV: ESPN+

Series: Florida holds a 31-5 series lead over the Tigers coming into this weekend series. Missouri has only one won game against the Gators since 2015, that win coming in 2022.

Last time out, Missouri: Missouri earned a 15-9 win over UT Martin on April 3, helping them secure the series win. The Tigers earned their first series sweep of the season against the Skyhawks.

Last time out, Florida: The Gators took a 10-7 win against Florida A&M on Tuesday, April 2. Florida A&M took an early lead, but Florida recovered to get ahead and secure the win after a four-run third.

Pitching Matchups:

• Friday, April 5 at 6 p.m. – RHP Logan Lunceford vs. RHP Brandon Neely
• Saturday, April 6 at 3 p.m. – LHP Javyn Pimental vs. RHP Liam Peterson
• Sunday, April 7 – 11 a.m. – TBD vs. LHP Jac Caglianone