FORT MYERS, Fla. – The University of Missouri baseball team secured its first victory of the 2026 season on Saturday evening, defeating Mount St. Mary’s 5-4 in the second game of a three-game series at Terry Park. The win provides a much-needed boost for the Tigers after opening the season with a loss on Friday, and showcases early-season pitching and offensive potential.
Right-handed pitcher Josh McDevitt delivered a strong performance in his first start of the year, holding the Mountaineers scoreless through five innings. McDevitt allowed just one hit while striking out six batters, setting a positive tone for the Mizzou pitching staff. His performance is a welcome sign after the team’s pitching struggles in the 2025 season, as reported earlier this year.
The Tigers’ offense continued to display promise, building on a quick start. Freshman Blaize Ward drove in the first run of the game with an RBI groundout in the bottom of the first inning, scoring Tyler Macon. Isaiah Frost extended the lead in the second with an RBI triple, bringing Cameron Benson home. Gehrig Goldbeck then added to the Tigers’ advantage in the fourth, hitting a double that scored both Benson and Chris Patterson, pushing the lead to 4-0.
Mizzou maintained control through the middle innings, despite a strong effort from Mount St. Mary’s to rally. Left-handed pitcher Kadden Drew entered the game in the sixth, allowing one run on two hits before handing the ball to right-handed pitcher Trey Lawrence for his collegiate debut. Lawrence successfully navigated a jam, preserving the Tigers’ lead.
Whereas the Tigers had an opportunity to extend their lead further in the sixth with the bases loaded, a strong play by Mount St. Mary’s relief pitcher Kaden Kimble limited the damage to just one run, scored on a sacrifice fly by Macon. The Mountaineers began to mount a comeback in the seventh, scoring two runs on four walks and a hit, narrowing the gap to 5-3.
Ian Lohse was brought in to close out the game for Mizzou, entering with the bases loaded in the seventh. Lohse pitched 2.1 innings, allowing one run on two hits and a walk, and ultimately secured the win in dramatic fashion. With runners on first and third and one out in the ninth, a double steal attempt was thwarted by a quick throw from catcher Mateo Serna to second baseman Eric Maisonet, who relayed to first baseman Jase Woita to complete the game-ending double play.
Several Tigers had standout performances at the plate. Isaiah Frost went 2-for-3 with an RBI triple, a single, and a hit-by-pitch, leading the offensive charge. Chris Patterson also had a strong day, going 2-for-3 with two runs and a walk. Lohse earned his seventh career save, solidifying his role as a reliable closer for the Tigers.
The series finale, a rubber match, is scheduled for Sunday at 12 p.m. CT at Terry Park. Fans can stream the game on the Varsity Network by Learfield, with play-by-play commentary from Tex Little and color analysis from Matt Michaels. More information about the series and the Mizzou baseball program can be found on MUTigers.com.
The Tigers will look to build on this momentum as they continue their season. The team’s performance in this series will be a key indicator of their potential for success in the coming months. Fans can follow the team for up-to-the-minute updates on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
What do you think the Tigers need to focus on to maintain this momentum as they head into conference play? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
