COLUMBIA, Mo. – Seventh-ranked Texas put on an offensive clinic Friday night, scoring in each of the first five innings to secure a commanding 15-4 win over Missouri in the opening game of their Southeastern Conference series at Taylor Stadium.
Will Gasparino stole the show with two home runs and eight RBIs, leading a Longhorns lineup that launched five homers. Jalin Flores and Kimble Schuessler set the tone early with solo shots in the first two innings, while a seven-run third inning put the game out of reach. Max Belyeu’s two-run homer ignited the big frame, and Gasparino followed with a two-run single. Tommy Farmer IV chipped in with an RBI single, and Belyeu capped the rally by drawing a bases-loaded walk.
Missouri (9-15, 0-6 SEC) struggled against Texas left-hander Jared Spencer (3-1), who opened the game with three hitless innings. The Tigers finally recorded their first hit in the fourth when Keegan Knutson legged out an infield single, followed by a Tyler Macon base hit. However, Spencer quickly ended the threat with an inning-ending flyout and a double-play ball in the fifth.
Gasparino struck again in the fourth and fifth innings, crushing a pair of three-run homers to extend Texas’ (21-3, 6-1 SEC) lead. Missouri finally broke through in the sixth with Isaiah Frost sparking a rally with a pinch-hit double. Chris Patterson moved him to third with a flyout, and Mateo Serna drove in the Tigers’ first run with a groundout. Brady Picarelli followed with an RBI single, while Kaden Peer ripped a two-run double to trim the deficit to 15-4.
Peer led Missouri with a 2-for-3 night and two RBIs, while both Knutson and Macon reached base twice. On the mound, Cayden Nicoletto made his Mizzou debut with a flawless sixth inning, recording a strikeout. Relievers Ben Smith and Jaylen Merchant also pitched scoreless frames.
TIGER HIGHLIGHTS:
Peer recorded his fourth multi-RBI game of the season and extended his hit streak to four games.
Picarelli picked up an RBI pinch-hit single, tying Peer for fourth on the team with 15 RBIs.
Serna notched his team-leading 26th RBI.
Frost’s pinch-hit double was his first hit of the 2025 season.
Mizzou’s loss snapped a five-game win streak against Texas dating back to 2012, bringing their all-time record against the Longhorns to 30-35.
WHAT’S NEXT:
With inclement weather expected over the weekend, the series schedule has been adjusted, with a doubleheader set for Saturday at 2 p.m. CDT.