Feb. 18, 2010

The following is the final part in a four-part series previewing the 2010 Mizzou Baseball season.

Last year's ace for the Mizzou Baseball team, Kyle Gibson, is gone and junior Nick Tepesch is the likely successor. Tepesch has pitched in 40 games and started 15 times in his first two seasons at Mizzou. Last year he started 14 games and also had four relief appearances.

Another key pitcher returning is junior Brad Buehler. Last year, Buehler tied a school record by appearing in 35 games out of the bullpen. He saved eight games, which tied for fourth most in school history. Buehler, who will again step into the closer role in 2010, earned Big 12 Player of the Week honors last May after he recorded a pair of saves in the Nebraska series.

Tepesch and Buehler are joined by fellow juniors Kelly Fick, Tyler Clark and Phil McCormick, all of whom have valuable experience pitching for Missouri. Fick, Clark and McCormick have combined to pitch in a combined 114 games over the past two seasons.

Fick has started six games in his two years at MU and has 46 career strikeouts. Clark was second on the team last season with a 2.86 ERA, as he pitched in 28 games. McCormick made 30 appearances last season and picked up a win in relief against Kansas on May 10.

Sophomores Ryan Clubb and Jeff Emens each contributed as freshmen last year. Both Clubb and Emens pitched in 25 games last season, their first with the Tigers.

Four of the newcomers to the Tigers' pitching staff come via the junior college route as lefthanders Aaron Blunt, Zack Hardoin and Jeff Scardino are joined by righty Kevin Mahler.

Freshmen Eric Anderson, Kenny Burton and Neil Hugenberg will also look to work their way into the pitching plans.

2010 MUTigers.com Season Preview
Monday, Feb. 15 -- PART 1 - The 2010 Schedule
Tuesday, Feb. 16 -- PART 2 - The Infielders and Catchers
Wednesday, Feb. 17 -- PART 3 - The Outfielders
Thursday, Feb. 18 -- PART 4 - The Pitching Staff