Feb. 26, 2009

Box Score

TEMPE, Ariz. - - No. 15 Mizzou attempted a late rally against Arizona State Thursday night in Tempe, Ariz., but fell short, as the eighth-ranked Sun Devils defeated the Tigers 2-1 on day one of the DeMarini Invitational. The loss extends Missouri's losing streak to five.

Trailing 2-0 in the ninth inning, MU scored once and had the trying run at third base when the final out was recorded. Junior Greg Folgia and senior Ryan Lollis delivered back-to-back one-out singles. And Folgia scored on a sacrifice fly by junior Aaron Senne. Lollis advanced to third on the sacrifice fly, but was stranded at third.

Arizona State built its 2-0 lead by scoring a run in each of the first two innings. The first two ASU batters in the bottom of the first inning singled as the Sun Devils took a 1-0 lead. Arizona State added a run in the second as Mike Murphy delivered a RBI double.

ASU's starting pitcher Mike Leake held the Tigers hitless for the first seven innings before MU sophomore Andrew Thigpen doubled to lead off the eighth for the first Mizzou hit. Leake pitched eight innings, striking out 10 batters and allowing just the one hit.

Junior Kyle Gibson struck out eight, allowing two runs on five hits in seven innings pitched. Gibson retired 13 of last 15 batters he faced. Sophomore Tyler Clark came out of the bullpen in the eighth and pitched a perfect 1-2-3 inning.

Missouri will face Oregon State at 2 p.m. (central time) on Friday in day two of the ASU DeMarini Invitational.