HOOVER, Ala. (SECSports.com) — Missouri second baseman Robbie Glendinning led an impressive Missouri offensive effort, highlighted by a go-ahead grand slam in the fourth, to beat defending tournament champion No. 7 seed Texas A&M 12-7 in Game 2 of the SEC Tournament.
Glendinning was one of six Tigers to contribute to Missouri’s 11-for-38 hitting. Glendinning’s grand slam was only the 14th in SEC Tournament history and the first since Florida’s Brian Johnson hit one against Mississippi State in 2011.
“First couple of at-bats didn’t feel too comfortable,” said Glendinning. “I just told myself to relax and just hit and trust myself and I got a pitch over the plate and put a good swing on it.”
The 19 combined runs are the most in any opening-day tournament game since 2001.
The Aggies are only the fourth defending tournament champion to go winless in their following tournament appearance.
The game started as an offensive shootout, with four lead changes in the first four innings before a 1:46 rain delay in the sixth inning cooled off both clubs’ red-hot bats.
Missouri junior RHP Andy Toelken relieved Tigers starter Tanner Houck after 4.1 innings. Toelken retired the first two batters in the bottom of the sixth inning, before the weather delay. Following the break, Toelken retired the first batter to close out the sixth and continued to shut down A&M batters and secure the win for Mizzou.
The win moves Mizzou to 36-21 on the season, the most wins for a Missouri team since 2008.
UP NEXT: Missouri advances to the double elimination portion of the tournament and will face No. 2 seed LSU in Game 6 Wednesday, set to start at approximately 4:30 pm CT on SEC Network.
