Singer Pitches Complete Game to Clinch Series For Gator Baseball

Florida starting pitcher Brady Singer throws his second straight complete game to help the Gators beat Missouri 2-1 Saturday in Columbia to clinch the series.

Singer ran his record to 4-1 with the complete game win, allowing only three hits and one run while striking out four while throwing 122 pitches.

Missouri lefty Michael Plassmeyer would take the loss for the Tigers pitching a total of 3.1 innings allowing six hits and two runs.

#GatorsWIN!!!

Brady pitches his 2nd straight complete game and the #Gators take the series over No. 23 Missouri. pic.twitter.com/LmsQGzeKnu

— Gators Baseball (@GatorsBB) April 1, 2017

Tigers Took the Lead

The Tigers jumped out to get the first lead of the game in the second inning. Singer walked Missouri first baseman Brian Sharp, who advanced to second on Alex Samples’ ground out to Deacon Liput. Then Missouri’s designated hitter Nelson Mompierre, batting .350 on the year, hit an RBI double to left-centerfield to score Sharp. Singer retired the next two batters on ground outs to strand Mompierre.

Gators offense

Florida got on the scoreboard in the fourth inning. Jonathan India led off the frame hitting his fourth home run of the season to tie the game 1-1.  The Gator bats continued to come alive when JJ Schwarz laced the first pitch he was given through the left side for a single. Nelson Maldonado singled to left field as well advancing Schwarz to scoring position. Then, Christian Hicks hit an RBI single off the glove of Missouri second baseman Robbie Glendinning to score Schwarz and give Florida the 2-1 lead.

Missouri made a pitching change after Hicks’ RBI single and brought in left-handed pitcher TJ Sikemma (0.47 ERA in 37.3 IP) who retired the next two batters leaving two baserunners stranded and holding Florida’s lead 2-1.

Sikemma would finish the game for Missouri on the mound, allowing only two hits and no runs in his 5.2 innings pitched. However, this was not enough for Missouri as Singer and the Florida defense did not allow the Tigers to score after their lone run in the second inning.

 Final game in the series

Florida and Missouri will have their final game of the weekend series Sunday at 2 pm.  Florida is now 19-9 and 4-4 in the SEC while the Tigers drop to 21-6 and to 4-4 in league play.