Houck dominates as Missouri shuts down Auburn

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Missouri baseball team slipped past Auburn 4-3 on Saturday to clinch the weekend series, taking the final two games.

The Tigers jumped ahead early, going up 3-0 after two innings. They scored a run in the first on an RBI single by Zach Lavy, then added two in the second on a two-run homer by Brett Bond.

Auburn closed the gap to 3-2 after single runs in the seventh and eighth innings, but Missouri got an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth on an RBI single by Trey Harris.

Auburn got a run in the top of the ninth and had runners at first and second with one out, but Brian Sharp got his fifth save of the season by striking out both batters he faced.

Michael Plassmeyer (3-2), the first of five Missouri pitchers, worked the first 5 2/3 innings to get the win. He scattered three hits and did not allow a run while walking one and striking out five.

No Missouri player had multiple hits, as Auburn had a 7-6 edge in that category.

On Friday, Tanner Houck threw nine scoreless innings for the third time this season as Missouri beat Auburn 2-0.

Houck (4-2) struck out 10 and walked one while only allowing four hits in a complete-game shutout.

Auburn starting pitcher Austin Camp (2-2) pitched to contact, getting 16 Missouri batters to either ground out or fly out. He allowed one unearned run on five hits and three walks while striking out three.

Missouri scored one run in the first and another in the eighth.

Kirby McGuire led off the bottom of the first with a single to right field and later scored when Trey Harris reached on a throwing error. Missouri loaded the bases in the eighth before Connor Brumfield scored on a passed ball.

Shane Benes had two hits for Missouri.

Missouri is now 20-14 overall and 4-8 in the Southeastern Conference, while Auburn is 15-17 and 3-9.

Missouri will travel Tuesday to Missouri State for a 6:35 p.m. contest.