2-7: Home Sweet Home

The Tigers win their first game and their last game of the road trip. Arizona has not historically been really kind to the Tigers in February. Rumor has it MU will be in Houston at or near the beginning of the 2010 season.

■ The Columbia Missourian sums it up with Tigers beat Arizona State to end losing streak:

Missouri sophomore Nick Tepesch went 6.1 innings, striking out a career-high eight batters while walking two and allowing one earned run. He took a no decision.

With the win, coach Tim Jamieson moved past John "Hi" Simmons into second place on the all-time wins list in MU baseball history

■ The Missourian's Andrew DeWitt adds some commentary at Stripes and Seams:

The offense has struck out a lot. 88 strikeouts in nine games is a lot. The Tigers have also left 74 men on base in nine games.

■ DevilsDigest.com tells us more: Devils Fall to Tigers, Lose Spence

A line drive off the bat of Missouri’s Kyle Mach struck Spence on the side of the face and Missouri took control of the game off of ASU’s bullpen to win 5-2 in a game shortened to eight innings by the travel time limit.

Spence immediately dropped to the ground after being hit square on the face,
the ball caught a piece of the Australian’s nose. While he didn’t want to speculate, ASU Head Coach Pat Murphy believes the left hander likely avoided any major damage. Spence will have X-Ray’s taken later today and may have fractured hisnose.
“I don’t want to speculate before he sees the doctor,” said Murphy

■ Big12Hardball.com opines:

Hey, at least Missouri pulled out a win against Arizona State to end the week, snapping a seven-game losing streak. Otherwise it would have been a complete disaster. Before we declare them dead, let's remember that conference play hasn't even started yet.

■ The Maneater informs us Baseball off to rough start:

However, a positive trend for the Tiger pitching staff has been how well they have limited walks. In 43.0 innings, Missouri’s pitchers have walked just 10 batters, compared to 25 in 45 innings for opponents. Keeping free passes down could be a big key to this pitching staff’s success down the road.

■ Apparently the Arizona Sate baseball team doesn't get any more attention and respect on its campus than the Tigers do in Columbia, According to Devil Dish:

You may not recognize them on campus, but there are baseball stars among you. I
know, I know, we should all focus on the great season Herb’s boys are having. Go ahead and get mad in March, get your Harden on. But it’s time ASU baseball got some love. These guys are too legit to be a niche.

■ By the way, the Longhorns' Brandon Workman threw a no-hitter yesterday.

■ More in regard to basketball than baseball the University Daily Kansan posts An ode to the Tigers:

Yet, over a span of decades (and specifically the last 10 years) Missouri has failed to win anything of importance. I suppose the greater question is, why?

I can’t answer that one. I’m sure some Missouri fans could answer it better. And I know they could. And you know what, it must be tough being a Tiger fan.