MU 19, SLU 6

■ Missouri pounds SLU at Busch Stadium, according to the Columbia Missourian:

“It’s a couple steps forward and one step back. Overall, we are moving in the right direction, but the middle of the game was kind of sloppy," Missouri coach Tim Jamieson said.

After scoring only four runs in three games against Oklahoma State this weekend, the Tigers scored 19 runs on 16 hits.

Coming into the game shortstop Michael Liberto was struggling at the plate and during batting practice, the coaches were telling him to stay behind the ball.
"I was like, 'What the heck does that mean?'" Liberto said.

■ The St. Louis Post-Dispatch took notice for the second day in a row, with Mizzou routs SLU at Busch Stadium:

"I'm hoping maybe tonight is the catalyst, get fired up playing here," coach Tim Jamieson said before the game. "It's all confidence."

The game served a dual purpose. The St. Louis Cardinals got a chance to work out any stadium kinks five days before their season opener on Monday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, except with 2,117 fans instead of a sellout. Coaches from both schools are interested in making this an annual event.

■ RockMNation comments on last night's game and indulges in some worry:

Mizzou hit and scored at will, but on a worrisome note, Kyle Gibson once again got smoked, giving up three runs in his lone inning on the hill. After being untouchable for most of the season, Gibson has now given up 10 earned runs in his last 3 innings. We'll see what happens this weekend against OU. There's pretty much no way Mizzou can get hot enough to make the NCAA tourney if Gibson struggles for any lengthy amount of time

■ Johnny Wholestaff's hair took on a bit of a carrot-top tinge last night as Kyle Gibson pitched the first inning in a 10-pitcher game. Nick Tepesch got an inning as well, making Johnny a true Wholestaff representative.

Mr. Wholestaff's updated stats for the season: 7-1, 2.41 ERA, 71 IP, 60 H, 24 R, 19 ER, 18 BB, 53 SO. One stat stands out as a key to the success so far: JW has given an average of only 2.25 walks per game.

■ MU's game with OU on Saturday will broadcast live on Fox Sports Midwest. Familiar Mizzou voices will be at the mikes: Chris Gervino for play-by-play, with former Coach Gene McArtor doing color commentary.

■ RockChalkTalk.com has an optimistic analysis of Kansas Baseball during the Coatch Ritch Price era: