MU 8, WIU 0

■ From PowerMizzou, Lollis shines in home opener:

Lollis was introduced over the loud speaker tonight to the background music of
rapper Lil Wayne. Lil Wayne is known as the "fireman", and Lollis definitely sparked the fire behind the Tigers tonight. When Missouri scored, it seemed as if the senior was always involved. Lollis put the Tigers up 1-0 in the first inning after a wild pitch, and he blew the game open with a bases loaded two-run single in the 8th.

■ Mizzou shuts out Western Illinois, 8-0.

Mizzou (3-7) used nine pitchers in the game, with each turning in one inning of
work. Sophomore Kelly Fick was credited with the win, his first of the season. He pitched a 1-2-3 second inning, striking out two of the three batters he faced.

Senior Ryan Lollis extended his hitting streak to seven games with a single in the
bottom of the first inning.

■ The Western Courier had a preview of the WIU-MU game that looks a bit optimistic in hindsight:

Missouri follows Wednesday's game with a four-game series against Ball State, whereas Western doesn't compete again until the teams meet next Tuesday. This
means that the 'Necks can throw everything they have, while the Tigers will have
to conserve themselves for a week packed full of games. This will not only let Western throw its best pitchers, but according to Hyman, it means Missouri ace
junior starting pitcher Kyle Gibson isn't scheduled to pitch against the 'Necks

■ The Columbia Tribune says Tigers at a loss to explain woeful road trip:

Through nine games, just one player — Lollis, the senior outfielder who is riding a six-game hitting streak — has reached double digits in hits. Four Tigers have double-digit strikeout totals. The runners that do get on rarely get in. Missouri has left 74 runners on base.

■ PowerMizzou kicks off what it promises will be increased MU Baseball coverage with Tigers looking to rebound:

Trevor Coleman: "To lose seven of our first nine is tough. This team has been
resilient throughout the fall and in early spring with practice and stuff. The coaches have challenged us, and it's something we are accustomed to, and we are going to keep working hard."

■ InsideMizzou has an audio clip with Nick Tepesch


■ The Columbia Missourian reminds us that Taylor Stadium gets ready for a makeover:

The first phase will be constructed down the third base line. MU plans to build a brand new clubhouse which will be roughly 40 to 50 percent bigger than the current clubhouse. In addition to the club house, the team will build an indoor/outdoor batting cage facility and expand the bullpen. Also, the team offices will move from under the first base grandstand to the new facility.