Mizzou Baseball Recruits

■ Is Brett Thomas still going to Mizzou? (semoball.com)

No his scholarship has not been revoked, alot of rumors have been running around that he got a DWI or a DUI and that is FALSE, no off the field issues. I guess some people get mad and or jealous that the kid works hard and makes good grades and still is a good athlete. He still has his scholarship to Mizzou. (posted by Thomas' HS baseball coach)

Mizzou Baseball in the Minors

■ Former Tiger Rick Zagone was transferred from the Double-A Bowie Bay Sox to the High-A Frederick Keys on Monday, May 9th.

The quick 5-0 lead dazed the Hillcats, who managed just one hit off Frederick starter Rick Zagone, who was the Keys’ opening day starter in 2010. He started this year at Double-A Bowie, struggled so much he was demoted to the bullpen, and finally settled back in Frederick to try to regain his form.

The Orioles’ brass had to have been encouraged with the results. Zagone allowed one hit in six innings, struck out six and walked one.

"The guy changed speeds and worked ahead in the count," Hillcats manager Luis Salazar said. "He kept our hitters off balance. If a left-hander can do that, he’s going to have success." (Nelson County Times, 5/12)

Mizzou Baseball in the Minors

■ C Brett Nicholas assigned to Myrtle Beach (Scout.com)

The Texas Rangers assigned catcher Brett Nicholas to High-A Myrtle Beach on Saturday afternoon. The 22-year-old, who was the Rangers' sixth-round pick out of the University of Missouri last summer, missed most of spring training with a hamstring injury and had been playing in games at extended spring training.

Nicholas batted .245/.319/.344 in 51 contests at short-season Spokane last season. He takes the roster spot of catcher Vin DiFazio, who was placed on the DL with a left hand contusion.

Congratulations 2012 Big 12 Softball Champions

Mizzou Softball, Big 12 Champions

Photo from @BlumbergOTC on Twitter

Mizzou Baseball Game Day

■ "If nobody makes the last out we win." (Hunter Mense, bottom of the 9th, MU-TT Game 2)

■ You know, its season is over barring winning #Big12 tournament, but #Missouri is playing some solid baseball. #Tigers up to 6th in league. (@KendallRogersPG on Twitter)

■ Missouri loses second game, 6-4, to Texas Tech (Columbia Missourian)

Missouri rallied for three runs in the bottom half of the next inning. Jonah Schmidt and Blake Brown led off with singles, and Schmidt scored on a fielder’s choice. Andrew Thigpen then drove in two runs with a double to center field. Texas Tech closer John Neely then struck out Conner Mach for his seventh save, allowing three runs on four hits in the process. The win put Texas Tech back in fifth place in the Big 12, half a game over Missouri and Baylor.

■ Pitcher gains more confidence in Missouri baseball team's victory over Texas Tech (Columbia Missourian)

Anderson spent this season learning how to pitch a baseball, not just throw one, and said he is a better pitcher for it.

"Right now I'm a better pitcher than I was when I had all my velocity," Anderson said. "It's learning how to pitch, especially at this level (because) everyone can hit a 93 mile-per-hour fast ball if it's right down the middle."

■ Texas Tech baseball's Jamodrick McGurder suffered fractured bone in right hand Wednesday (Dallas News)

Texas Tech star second baseman Jamodrick McGruder was diagnosed with a fractured hamate bone in his right hand in Columbia, Mo., prior to the Red Raiders' first game of a three-game series with Missouri.

McGurder sustained the injury in his last at bat Wednesday against Michigan when a pitch hit his hand. It was McGruder's 25th hit-by-pitch of the season.

The extent of McGruder's injury is not fully known and he will be re-evaluated when the team arrives in Lubbock on Sunday.

McGurder did not play in Texas Tech's 11-1 loss against Missouri on Friday and if he is out for an extended amount of time he will be sorely missed. He is among national leaders with 28 stolen bases, a .470 on base percentage and he has a .293 batting average for the Red Raiders.

Mizzou Baseball Quotes & Notes

■ Tigers on the rise (Columbia Tribune)

Though a long shot to make the NCAA Tournament — MU has to sweep the last two series just to finish at .500 in the regular season — the Tigers finally have an idea of what this season’s final project looks like.

And they will take pride in knowing that they didn’t fold when their season was on the brink.

“It’s always frustrating to experience what we experienced and go through that little losing streak that we had there for a little bit,” Schmidt said. “But I think that’s just made this time — now that we’ve won three series — it’s just made it that much sweeter.”

■ Missouri Series (RaiderPower.com Baseball Forum)

• I'm just curious as to see who thinks we have what it takes to win a must win series @ Mizzou? Mizzou has been playing well recently. Took their last 2 series against aggy and K-State. We seem to struggle @ Mizzou in basically every mens sport for some reason. This is an absolute must win series if we want to squeeze our way into a regional. Is 2/3 @ Mizzou out of reach? I think this is one of the most important series in the last few years in terms of moving the program forward.
  
  
• I think we have a great shot. This is a program that has played well on the road this year with young talent. They are only getting more experienced, and that can only help you as you go into a big series. As long as we approach the series with the same mindset we have with the Baylor and ut series, I think we have a 75% shot of winning two of three.
  
  
• I HATE playing at Missouri. Why? Because the weather always sucks and it's just a miserable place to play. SHOCKER!!! Forecast calls for highs barely reaching 60 all weekend with rain in the forcast every day. Tomorrow night looks like a guaranteed RO, which would force a DH on Saturday. Honestly gents, I'd do a flip if we got out of there with 1.
  
  
• History says we don't have much sucess in Columbia... But that better not be anywhere in the minds of these players... if it is, we're doneski and might as well come on back to Lubbock. These guys and this coaching staff better believe they can win 2/3 in this series or we're in trouble. I think we're capable of it.
  
  
• '97 We swept them there
  '99 Took 2 of 3
  '01 They took 2 of 3
  '03 They swept us in the two games played.
  '05 They took 2 of 3
  
  See a trend?
  
  We get swept this year. Crappy weather, zero fans show up, it is like playing in a tomb I've been told, and it is a long road trip. Better hope for a bounce back in Lubbock against oSu.
  
  Just need to keep the score low. Good pitching is the key, lets see some Duke

■ MSU Head Coach John Cohen among others being sued by former Bulldogs player (SDN's Bulldog Blog)

A civil action filed Wednesday in Oktibbeha County Court has Mississippi State head baseball coach John Cohen [former Assistant Coach at Mizzou] named as one of three defendants in a lawsuit being brought by one of his former players.
. . .
All of this evidence is to support a claim that Mississippi State University officials are responsible forthe deterioration of Moore’s throwing arm causing an inability for 6-foot-1, 193-pound prospect to pursue a professional baseball career after being drafted twice (out of high school in the 32nd round in 2007 draft by Detroit and last year in the 38th round by the Florida Marlins).

Mizzou Baseball Game Day: Texas Tech Red Raiders

■ Five-run first inning leads Tech to victory at Michigan (Lubbock Online)

Stephen Hagen’s bases-loaded single plated Tech’s first two runs, and Nick Popescu added a bases-loaded double to score the final three runs of the frame for the Red Raiders (8-2), who were playing for the first time in a week due to the mandated break for final exams

■ After break for finals, Red Raiders hit road to face Maize and Blue (Lubbock Online)

“We’re in a position to do the things we’d like to do and we don’t need any help,” said Spencer, whose Red Raiders (28-20, 9-12 in Big 12) entered and exited the weekend in fifth place in the conference standings. “We just have to take care of our own business, and that’s a good place to be this time of year.”
.. .
Tech holds the tiebreaker against every team in the pack except Kansas State and hopes to add Missouri to the list later this week.
. . .
But the Michigan trip isn’t just to try and get two more wins. The Red Raiders have been off since Wednesday due to finals, with a short practice on Sunday to try and stay sharp.

Last season the Red Raiders had 13 days off between games during finals, and they struggled coming out of the break, losing five of their final six Big 12 games, a stretch that eventually decided their NCAA fate.

“Personally, I think the break will be a positive thing,” said closer John Neely, who is tied for third in the nation with nine victories. “It gives our arms a rest for a full week, and I assume it will do well for us.”

Spencer is hoping the two games will give his team a chance to regain its focus and the momentum gained from the sweep of Kansas a week ago.

“Our intention is to load up and to lineup as best we can to win both games,” Spencer said. “We need to go in and get crisp and play well. We’re not going in to split. We’re going in to win both games.”

■ Raiders look for strong finish to impress committee (Lubbock Online, 5/2)

“Getting the sweep at home was huge especially after a rough week at Kansas State,” center fielder Barrett Barnes said after Sunday’s 8-7 win over the Jayhawks on a bases-loaded, two-out walk, “but we came back and had a great weekend for our morale, and now we have to go into (today) and take care of business as well.”

In one weekend, the Red Raiders turned their fortunes around by avoiding some of the pitfalls that befell them the previous four weekends, when they lost four series in a row. They routinely beat defensive shifts that had become virtually automatic for opponents by hitting the ball the other way. They were also able to lay off troublesome breaking balls on the outside corners that turned from strikeouts to walks, and they were able to come through with key run-scoring hits in the 10th inning Friday and ninth inning Sunday to win a pair of one-run games.

■ Three Texas Tech baseball players named to national watch list (dallasnews.com)

Texas Tech reliever John Neely was placed on the National Pitcher of the Year Watch List by the College Baseball Hall of Fame which is based in Lubbock, Texas.

Neely has a 9-0 record and also was named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Midseason Stopper of the Year Watch List. He currently is tied for third in the nation for wins with a 2.17 ERA and a .243 batting average against.

Additionally, Texas Tech's David Paiz is a College Baseball Hall of Fame John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award Watch List athlete. The award is given to the nation's best pitcher and hitter in the nation.

Paiz currently bats .291 with 21 runs while starting as Texas Tech's Saturday pitcher during Big 12 Conference series.

Additionally, the College Baseball Hall of Fame announced Texas Tech shortstop Kelby Tomlinson is on the Brooks Wallace Shortstop of the Year Award. The award is named for a former Texas Tech great.

Tomlinson is batting .313 this season with 33 runs and leads the Red Raiders with 16 multi-hit games. On the defensive side, Tomlinson has committed just one error in the past 22 games.

■ You won't see anything like this in the local Columbia newspapers: Page 1 / Page 2

Mizzou Baseball Game Day: Texas Tech Red Raiders

NOTE: don't forget to come to the ballpark early on Saturday for the Diamond Sports Spring Fan Fest, beginning at 11:30

■ Rankings & Records (boydsworld.com)

• Record: MU 21-27 (8-12); TT 30-20 (9-12)
• RPI: MU 92nd; TT 45th
• ISR: MU 117th; TT 42nd
• Strength of Schedule: MU 41st; TT 46th

■ Five-run first inning leads Tech to victory at Michigan (Lubbock Online)

Stephen Hagen’s bases-loaded single plated Tech’s first two runs, and Nick Popescu added a bases-loaded double to score the final three runs of the frame for the Red Raiders (8-2), who were playing for the first time in a week due to the mandated break for final exams

■ After break for finals, Red Raiders hit road to face Maize and Blue (Lubbock Online)

“We’re in a position to do the things we’d like to do and we don’t need any help,” said Spencer, whose Red Raiders (28-20, 9-12 in Big 12) entered and exited the weekend in fifth place in the conference standings. “We just have to take care of our own business, and that’s a good place to be this time of year.”
.. .
Tech holds the tiebreaker against every team in the pack except Kansas State and hopes to add Missouri to the list later this week.
. . .
But the Michigan trip isn’t just to try and get two more wins. The Red Raiders have been off since Wednesday due to finals, with a short practice on Sunday to try and stay sharp.

Last season the Red Raiders had 13 days off between games during finals, and they struggled coming out of the break, losing five of their final six Big 12 games, a stretch that eventually decided their NCAA fate.

“Personally, I think the break will be a positive thing,” said closer John Neely, who is tied for third in the nation with nine victories. “It gives our arms a rest for a full week, and I assume it will do well for us.”

Spencer is hoping the two games will give his team a chance to regain its focus and the momentum gained from the sweep of Kansas a week ago.

“Our intention is to load up and to lineup as best we can to win both games,” Spencer said. “We need to go in and get crisp and play well. We’re not going in to split. We’re going in to win both games.”

■ Raiders look for strong finish to impress committee (Lubbock Online, 5/2)

“Getting the sweep at home was huge especially after a rough week at Kansas State,” center fielder Barrett Barnes said after Sunday’s 8-7 win over the Jayhawks on a bases-loaded, two-out walk, “but we came back and had a great weekend for our morale, and now we have to go into (today) and take care of business as well.”

In one weekend, the Red Raiders turned their fortunes around by avoiding some of the pitfalls that befell them the previous four weekends, when they lost four series in a row. They routinely beat defensive shifts that had become virtually automatic for opponents by hitting the ball the other way. They were also able to lay off troublesome breaking balls on the outside corners that turned from strikeouts to walks, and they were able to come through with key run-scoring hits in the 10th inning Friday and ninth inning Sunday to win a pair of one-run games.

■ Three Texas Tech baseball players named to national watch list (dallasnews.com)

Texas Tech reliever John Neely was placed on the National Pitcher of the Year Watch List by the College Baseball Hall of Fame which is based in Lubbock, Texas.

Neely has a 9-0 record and also was named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Midseason Stopper of the Year Watch List. He currently is tied for third in the nation for wins with a 2.17 ERA and a .243 batting average against.

Additionally, Texas Tech's David Paiz is a College Baseball Hall of Fame John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award Watch List athlete. The award is given to the nation's best pitcher and hitter in the nation.

Paiz currently bats .291 with 21 runs while starting as Texas Tech's Saturday pitcher during Big 12 Conference series.

Additionally, the College Baseball Hall of Fame announced Texas Tech shortstop Kelby Tomlinson is on the Brooks Wallace Shortstop of the Year Award. The award is named for a former Texas Tech great.

Tomlinson is batting .313 this season with 33 runs and leads the Red Raiders with 16 multi-hit games. On the defensive side, Tomlinson has committed just one error in the past 22 games.

■ You won't see anything like this in the local Columbia newspapers: Page 1 / Page 2

■ And finally, just for the Simmons Savages: Never leave yourself unprotected, especially if you're the starting catcher for the next team coming to Simmons Field. Happy Heckling!

Mizzou Baseball Quotes & Notes

■ Like father, like son (KOMU.com)

But not all diamonds are forever.

"I know in the next couple of weeks when college is done, it's probably gonna hit home," Robert Schmidt said.

"Something that I've always dreamed about doing is following in his footsteps and playing baseball here, even when I was little I knew I wanted to play baseball in college, I wanted to play as far as I can," Jonah said.

SEE VIDEO

SUMMER BALL

■ Black Bears notebook: Wildcats, Tigers on board (tdn.com)

A trio of Kansas State University Wildcats and two members of the University of Missouri baseball team have committed to play for the Cowlitz Black Bears collegiate wood-bat baseball team this summer.

Right-handed pitcher Jake Doller, catcher Chase Graskewicz and first baseman/outfielder Matt Giller from Kansas State, along with Tigers' right-hander Ryan Yuengel and lefty Ian Ekery are all ready to make an impact on the West Coast League.

(The Black Bears are coached by former Tiger Bryson Leblanc