Quotes & Notes: MU 12, Nevada 1

■ Several photos from MU's opening game in Arizona can be seen at Five Outs to Go. Thanks to JDot for the link

■ Saturday and Sunday schedule at the Grand Canyon Tournament:

Saturday 4:00 PM (CT) MU vs. Gonzaga
Saturday 8:00 PM Gonzaga vs. Nevada
Sunday 11:00 AM MU vs. Nevada
Sunday 3:00 MU vs. Gonzaga

■ Andrew Dewiit, this year's baseball writer for the Columbia Missourian, has started a blog to go along with his stories in the newspaper, Stripes and Seams:

The thing I’m watching the most this weekend is how the talented bench helps this lineup that returns seven of eight position players. Coach Tim Jamieson said on Tuesday during media day that he would try to fit everyone into the lineup this weekend. I expect the middle infield combination of sophomore Andrew Thigpen and junior-transfer Michael Liberto to keep Jamieson happy with their defense. Last year at times the Tigers struggled up the middle of the infield.

■ The Columbia Daily Tribune's Matt Nestor says MU's Gibson puts pitching in perspective

Over the past two years, he learned from Aaron Crow how to attack hitters and learned from pitching coach Tony Vitello how to be stronger mentally. But he said the biggest change has been that he realizes baseball is just a game.

“God’s allowed me to play this game, and I think it’s important to know, win or lose, in the whole scheme of things, that’s not what it’s all about,” said Gibson, a preseason first-team All-American. “We’re out here to play the game, have fun and do our best.”

■ Among the more interesting games featuring MU's 2009 opponents:

· Oklahoma State outlasted Brigham Young 17-14

· Kansas' lefty Shaeffer Hall pitched in no-hitter in the Jayhawks' opening game 5-0 victory against Air Force. Then they turned around and lost their second game of the day, 5-4 against Memphis.

· Nevada beat Gonzaga, 7-4, before losing to MU in the nightcap.