There were only two Missouri baseball players in the same position on Saturday as in the season opener the day before.<\/p>\n
The shakeup kickstarted the offense and brought Mizzou to a 5-4 win over Mount St. Mary\u2019s in Fort Myers, Florida, evening the series at 1-1. Three newcomers to the lineup contributed to four of the MU runs.<\/p>\n
New to the Tigers batting order in 2026, graduate left fielder Isaiah Frost and junior designated hitter Cameron Benson contributed two runs, three hits and an RBI combined. The pair teamed up with a double from Benson that was followed by a triple from Frost to bring home the second run of the game with two outs in the second. Benson also scored the fourth run of the game off a double knocked into right by shortstop Gehrig Goldbeck to make it 4-0.<\/p>\n
Despite their winding down eligibility, Frost and Benson have not yet had much of a chance to make an impact as Tigers. Frost has been limited to mostly pinch-hitting and running appearances due to past injuries, while Benson redshirted his first season with the Tigers and played in just 13 games in 2025.<\/p>\n
Sophomore Chris Patterson also made his way into the lineup at third base and scored the fourth and fifth Tiger runs of the game, the latter to make it 5-1 in the sixth inning.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe do have some versatility,\u201d Mizzou coach Kerrick Jackson told Tiger Radio post-game. \u201cSo, being able to figure that out over these next few weeks will be key.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Mountaineers were getting to Missouri pitching in the seventh, having scored two in the inning when the Tigers handed the ball to Old Faithful. Graduate left-hander Ian Lohse stepped on the mound with bases loaded and the score at 5-3. He tossed two pitches and closed the inning, then put Mount St. Mary\u2019s down in order in the eighth to keep the Tigers on top. Lohse earned the save, despite allowing a run in the ninth.<\/p>\n
Junior right-hander Josh McDevitt spun a gem in the form of a one-hitter for the Tigers. In his return from injury, he went five innings and punched out six. Toward the end of his stint, McDevitt got a visit from the Tigers\u2019 trainer. The righty was wincing in pain but opted to finish his final inning on the mound.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe got a really good starting pitching performance, and we got some guys that lack experience coming out of the bullpen,\u201d Jackson said. \u201cWe just got to get those guys out there because we have really good stuff, but they make it a little bit nervous for us there at the end.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another pitcher returning from injury, left-hander Kadden Drew relieved McDevitt. but sputtered through his 2026 debut. The lone run came from a walk and a double in the sixth, and Drew got the hook after only two-thirds of an inning.<\/p>\n
The inning was salvaged by sophomore righty Trey Lawrence, who stranded two after one out in his pitching debut for the Tigers. Trouble then found Lawrence as he was pulled after not recording an out in the seventh. He walked three consecutive batters to close his stint on the mound, two of which were brought in by left-hander Juan Villarreal in his Missouri debut.<\/p>\n
A double-steal gone wrong for the Mountaineers ended the game, with catcher Mateo Serna catching one stealing second and then tagging the other runner at home.<\/p>\n
On the Tigers\u2019 opening day Friday, Mizzou\u2019s pitching staff faltered in an 8-5 loss to open the series against the Mountaineers, marking the program\u2019s fourth consecutive opening-day loss.<\/p>\n
Missouri built a four-run lead through the first three innings behind graduate left-hander Javyn Pimental, who allowed just one run in his return from Tommy John surgery. Pimental worked five innings, giving up four hits and one walk.<\/p>\n
Two freshmen and two sophomores followed Pimental out of the bullpen, but they were unable to preserve the lead.<\/p>\n
With Saturday\u2019s win, Missouri will look to take the series against Mount St. Mary\u2019s at 12 p.m. Sunday at Terry Park in Fort Myers, Florida. Left-hander Brady Kehlenbrink is slated to start for the Tigers.<\/p>\n
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