COLUMBIA - The Missouri baseball team still hasn't solved its offensive issues, but stellar performances on the mound from TJ Sikkema and Andy Toelken put that on the backburner for one game Thursday.
Sikkema struck out 10 - including six straight between the second and fourth innings - and allowed seven hits, two walks and an earned run in six innings and 100 pitches, and Toelken threw three perfect innings of four-strikeout relief to grab his third save and seal a 2-1 win for the Tigers against No. 12 Vanderbilt at Taylor Stadium.
Sikkema (3-3) and head coach Steve Bieser agreed the starter struggled with his command, especially on his curveball, but Sikkema's fastball and slider carried him until he found his curve.
"I'd like to have a lot of runs, but obviously it keeps me very focused," Sikkema said. "I go out there and I don't want to give up a single run. Doing anything, going out there and punching three tickets, that's all I can do."
It was a close game the whole way, but Missouri had the advantage of scoring first. Cade Bormet led off the second inning with a single and moved up thanks to an Alex Samples sacrifice. Bormet took third on a wild pitch by Vandy starter Drake Fellows and Matt Berler delivered a two-out single to the edge of the infield behind second base.
Vanderbilt tied the game with three straight singles in the top of the fifth, but the Tigers responded after Chris Cornelius reached on an error. Connor Brumfield bunted Cornelius over, Trey Harris singled to left and there was no throw home as Cornelius flipped his helmet off as he rounded third.
That was all the offense Missouri (26-12, 7-9 Southeastern Conference) would need, as the defense and pitching stepped in to shut down the Commodores. Alex Samples and Cornelius both made strong defensive plays to save baserunners, but those two offensive difference-makers, Berler and Harris, combined with catcher Brett Bond for the play of the game in the sixth inning.
Philip Clarke hit a one-out double to left and Jayson Gonzales followed with a double down the right-field line. But Clarke hesitated between second and third, and Harris' throw to Berler and Berler's relay to Bond were both on the money and Clarke was out by feet, not inches.
Sikkema ended the sixth with an emphatic strikeout punctuated by a vocal celebration all the way to the dugout. The Commodores wouldn't get another baserunner in the game once Toelken entered.
"Silly me for ever starting him," Bieser said of Toelken. "You look at what he does out of the bullpen, he's been really solid. Fast pace, and late in the game he gives you exactly what you need. Pounds the strike zone, make the other team earn everything they get."
Vanderbilt committed two errors - one by the pitcher and one by the shortstop that allowed Cornelius to reach and eventually score - and entered the series as best fielding team in the SEC, with a .985 fielding percentage and 20 errors in 38 games. Missouri is tied for second with Florida in fielding percentage (.983) and errors (24).
Game 2 of the three-game series is at 6:30 p.m. today.