Pitching Powers Tigers to 5-3 Win

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Torin Montgomery launched a three-run home run in the fifth inning to help Missouri baseball to a 5-3 win over Florida on Saturday afternoon at Taylor Stadium.

Mizzou (26-21, 8-18 SEC) picked up a crucial victory behind the Montgomery homer and strong pitching from Spencer Miles and Ian Lohse. Miles (4-5) went six innings in the start, surrendering three runs on six hits for the quality outing. Lohse took it the rest of the way, working three scoreless innings to pick up his third save of the season.

At the plate, the top four of the Mizzou order all had multi-hit games. Montgomery led the way with a 3-for-5 day and the three-run homer. Josh Day went 2-for-5 with an RBI while Mike Coletta added the other RBI in a 1-for-3 day.

Florida (31-19, 12-14 SEC) jumped to an early lead with three RBI from BT Riopelle who finished 2-for-3 at the plate. Brandon Neely (2-1) took the loss, surrendering four runs in 4.2 innings of work.

IMPACT INNING

Down 3-1 at the halfway point, Mizzou scored three in the fifth inning to take the lead. Luke Mann got the inning started when he capped a spinner to third base for an infield single. Trevor Austin dropped a single into right center to put two aboard for the Tigers. With one out, Montgomery stepped to the plate and found a hanging breaking ball in a 2-1 count. The junior launched the offering over the left center field wall for the go-ahead home run.

The Tigers would not surrender the lead, tacking on an insurance run in the eighth to even the series.

TOP TIGERS

Torin Montgomery: 3-for-5, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R

Josh Day: 2-for-5, RBI

Ian Lohse: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K

IN THE NOTES

• The Tigers snapped a 16-game losing streak to Florida. It was the first victory over the Gators since 2015.
• Mizzou turned three double plays in a game for the third time this season.
• Austin finished 2-for-3 at the plate with a pair of walks. The left fielder has hit in 17 of the last 18 for the Tigers.
• Mann finished 2-for-5 in the leadoff spot with a pair of runs scored and a double.
• Montgomery’s three-hit day was his team-leading eighth game with three or more knocks this season.
• Day’s multi-hit game was his team-best 20th of the year.

FROM THE SKIP

Coach Bieser on the pitching performance…

“We know that’s the key to baseball. We’ve got to continue to get good pitching efforts and that was an outstanding one both for Miles and Lohse. So, real proud of the way that those guys stepped out there and executed in some tough situations.”

UP NEXT

Mizzou and Florida meet in the rubber match on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. The finale will stream on SEC Network +.    

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-MUTigers.com-