Game Day: Battle at Busch

■ Illini fall to Tigers, 7-4, in 'Battle at Busch' (The Daily Illini)

The difference in the game was Missouri’s bullpen, which completely shut down Illinois after starter Zack Hardoin was chased in a four-run second inning. The Illini (12-11) had five hits in the first two innings but none thereafter. Seven Tigers relievers combined to two-hit and shut out Illinois in the final 7 2/3 innings.

■ Braggin' rights and talk of opening day holiday (Fox2now.com)

You could see it in their college-aged eyes: a bit of a boyish glimmer. The young men on the University of Illinois and University of Missouri baseball teams were taking batting practice in the spot where their idols will play Monday.

"And when you see Busch Stadium behind the catcher and the umpire you're kinda like, 'OK this is for real.' So, I'm out here, trying to live in the moment. I think we all are," said Missouri pitcher Phil McCormick, who is from Wildwood.

Story includes VIDEO

■ College baseball game at Busch Stadium memorable day for Missouri players, coaches (Columbia Missourian/AP)

"I think it's a big deal, and I know it would be if I was playing," Jamieson said. "Are you kidding me? To be able to play not just in a big league ballpark but in a park with a franchise of this stature is special."

Both schools are interested in making this an annual event that's more about the wow factor than the game itself. Top pitchers were held back for weekend conference play, and Missouri even left three starters at home to rest before traveling to Oklahoma on Thursday.

■ Players return home in Missouri baseball win at Busch stadium (Columbia Missourian)

Plackis had the chance to play where his idol normally plays in the Tigers 7-4 win against Illinois on Wednesday at Busch Stadium. The nerves didn’t hit Plackis until he got to the ballpark.

“I walk in through the right field gate, and I look up at all those red stands,” Plackis said. “This is a place you see on TV … It’s an amazing place.”

■ Missouri digs the long ball (Columbia Tribune)

Schmidt blasted his fifth home run of the season, a two-run shot over the approximately 40-foot tall video scoreboard, which sits about 370 feet from home plate in left-center field, as the Tigers routed Southern Illinois-Edwardsville 14-3 last night on Simmons Field.

How far did it fly?

Luke Cassis, the team’s director of operations, had a conservative estimate.

“At least 500 feet,” he said before considering the 21 mph wind. “Maybe 530.”

■ Old friends reunite in Missouri baseball team win (Columbia Missourian)

In the Tigers 14-3 drubbing of Southern Illinois-Edwardsville on Tuesday at Taylor Stadium, Senne had a lot of time to talk to SIUE assistant coach Kurt Calvert. In 2008, Calvert played center field for the Tigers and Senne played right field.

Senne said they didn’t become enemies as soon as the game started.

■ Photo from the game you shouldn't miss

■ So how's this baseball season going so far? (RockMNation.com)

Unless they get really hot soon, their streak of consecutive NCAA Regional appearances will probably come to an end ... and that's okay. This is a super-young team, with five freshman regulars in the field and one big-time freshman in the rotation, and there have been some pretty strong moments so far, even if they have been rather inconsistent overall. . . .

2010 Recruits

■ From the St. Louis Globe-Democrat:

Shooting for their fourth straight conference title (Metropolitan Community College Athletic Conference), the Jefferson College baseball squad will host Mineral Area at 1 p.m. Thursday in a doubleheader. The Vikings are 6-0 in MCCAC play. Infielders Jordan Coons (.467) and C.J. Rose (.446) lead the team's offense. Righthanded pitcher Matt Stites is 4-2 with a 1.13 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 31 2/3 innings.

MU in the Minors

■ Back to the Dirt (MASNSports.com)

The Frederick Keys, who will be managed by Orlando Gomez, open the season on Thursday at Lynchburg. Lefty Rick Zagone is expected to get the nod as Keys starter then.