March 7, 2006

Box Score

COLUMBIA, Mo. - No. 18 Missouri ended Saint Louis' five-game win streak with a decisive 16-0 victory tonight at Taylor Stadium. The Billikens (5-6) managed just five hits while the Tigers capitalized on 12 walks and two Billiken errors to tally 14 runs on just 13 hits.

The Tigers wasted little time getting on the board against SLU freshman starter Dave Sever, who issued a walk to start the first inning. Zane Taylor singled to center and moved to second on the throw to third. With two runners in scoring position, Jacob Priday drove in the first run with Derek Chambers to fly out and end the inning with minimal damage.

Missouri starter Stephan Holst worked around a Tim Landy single in the top of the second to keep the Bills off the board and bring his hitters back to the plate quickly. The Tigers drew three walks to open the inning, and Taylor's single to center field brought all three runners home. Sever issued one more walk before turning the game over to junior Justin Wise. The junior transfer struck out the first batter he faced, then issued the inning's fifth walk to load the bases before hitting Brock Bond to bring in another run. A sacrifice fly from Chambers closed out the five-run inning for the Tigers.

Wise retired the Tigers in order in the bottom of the third, but Missouri's bats did not stay silent long, adding five more runs in the fourth inning. After Priday led off with a double and John McKee drew a walk, Bond made it an 8-0 lead with a single through the left side. Chambers drew a four-pitch walk to load the bases. Wise fanned J.C. Field for the second out, but saw Gary Arndt send his first pitch over the left field wall for a grand slam and a commanding 12-0 lead.

Missouri added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth and one run each in the sixth and eighth innings for the final 16-0 margin.

Sever fell to 1-1 on the season with the loss, giving up seven runs on just three hits and five walks. Holst collected his first win of the season, improving to 2-1, as he gave up just four hits and struck out six in 5-2/3 innings. Priday led all hitters with a perfect 3-for-3 night with two RBI.

The Billikens return to action with a three-game series this weekend against Illinois-Chicago. Action begins at 2 p.m. on Fri., Mar. 10, at The Billiken Sports Center.