COLUMBIA, Mo. - Freshman outfielder Jake Ring led the way for Missouri in a 5-2 win against No. 17 Tennessee in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams Friday night at Taylor Stadium.
Ring had the game-tying hit and scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the seventh. Dylan Kelly and Keaton Steele both tallied RBI doubles in the eighth, creating a three-run cushion for Steele to record his fifth save of the season.
Missouri starting pitcher Brett Graves had another strong performance, notching his fourth game of at least seven innings pitched. The junior right-hander held Tennessee to just two runs, allowed seven hits, while striking out four and walking one in seven innings.
Steele pitched two scoreless innings of relief, allowing one hit, while striking out one and walking one.
Fifth-year senior Eric Anderson also had a solid night, hitting his first career triple and driving in the decisive run as Missouri (9-7, 1-0 SEC) upset the Vols (15-2, 0-1).
The Tigers and Tennessee will battle again today in a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.