COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Baseball is on a roll, claiming its sixth consecutive victory by topping North Dakota State, 11-5, in the first game of their weekend series at Taylor Stadium. Pitcher Javyn Pimental shone on the mound, going 5.2 innings with just one earned run and five strikeouts to secure his second win of the season.
This win marks Mizzou’s longest win streak since they won nine games in a row earlier this year. The Tigers look strong, improving to 8-2 overall.
Mizzou jumped ahead early, scoring two runs in the first inning thanks to a double from freshman Blaize Ward, driving in teammates Jase Woita and Mateo Serna. The Tigers pushed their lead to 3-0 in the third inning after an errant throw from North Dakota’s shortstop allowed Woita to score from second.
The fourth inning saw Mizzou’s offense surge, adding four runs. A two-run single from Woita and a triple from Macon made it a comfortable 7-0 lead.
In the sixth, North Dakota State started to threaten. After loading the bases, they scored their first run on a single, benefiting from an error in the Tigers’ infield. Despite this, Mizzou kept control with a strong defense, closing the inning with a 7-2 advantage.
After the Bison brought the score to 7-3 in the seventh, Mizzou responded with another four runs to stretch their lead. Two timely errors from North Dakota helped the Tigers capitalize and score quickly.
Mizzou pitcher Juan Villarreal finished the game with two scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and striking out three.
Game Highlights:
- Blaize Ward: 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs.
- Jase Woita: 3-for-4 with three RBIs and three runs scored.
- Cameron Benson: Contributed two hits and scored twice, stealing two bases.
- Macon: Extended his hitting streak to nine games.
Historically, Mizzou has shown strong performances at the start of the season, and their current streak puts them on par with some of their best early-season runs in recent years. In fact, recent data shows that teams starting strongly often maintain momentum, with statistics indicating a higher win rate in the following weeks. This pattern could support Mizzou’s trajectory as they continue through the season.
Mizzou’s coaching staff has focused on building a solid starting rotation, and so far, they’ve delivered. Starting pitchers have consistently gone at least five innings in each game, showcasing their depth and talent.
The Tigers will return to Taylor Stadium for a doubleheader against North Dakota State on Saturday. The first game starts at 1 p.m. CT, with the second game following shortly after. Fans can catch both games live on the SEC Network+.
For more updates about Mizzou baseball, check out their official website MUTigers.com.
