It looked like Mission Impossible. The Mizzou baseball team had just lost their opening game of the NCAA Malibu Regional. In order to advance to the Super Regional round, they’d have to win four games in three days. No one probably believed they could do it… No one except for the guys in the black and gold locker room.
The Tigers lost to regional host Pepperdine 3-2 in their first game Friday. Things were looking bleak as they went into extra innings the next game. Fortunately for Tiger fans, they were able to edge out UC Irvine 5-4 in 14 innings. Game three saw a freshman rescue Mizzou from elimination. Rick Zagone led the way on the mound for the Tigers. His first career complete game gave MU a 2-1 win over UCLA.
The stage was set from there. In what looked like a made-for-the-movies situation, the Tigers had to beat Pepperdine twice in as many games. To make matters even more difficult, the first win would have to come just hours after beating UCLA. Mizzou handled that situation perfectly. They beat Pepperdine 4-1 to set up a win-or-go-home championship match-up with the Wave. One game later, the Tigers won their first NCAA Regional in school history beating Pepperdine 8-3 for the second straight game. Mizzou will head to the Super Regional round and face Cal State Fullerton. The Super Regional is a best of three series that determines who will move on to the College World Series in Omaha.