Gibson's impressive pitching lifts MU baseball team to 2,000th win

If every Tigers’ pitcher threw like Kyle Gibson did on Sunday, the next 2,000 victories would come much more quickly than the first batch did.

In defeating Stetson 9-5, the Tigers became the 35th NCAA program to reach the 2,000-win plateau, and improved their season record to 3-0 on the final day of the Stetson Invitational in DeLand, Fla.

Gibson, a 6-foot-6 sophomore who dazzled batters and scouts alike in the Cape Cod League this past summer, showed why he was moved into the Sunday-starter role for the Tigers, striking out 10, walking none, and earning the win after allowing only two runs in six innings in his first action of the season.

“Kyle did some special things out there tonight,” coach Tim Jamieson said in a release. “He threw strikes and continued to attack. What he did in his last inning, striking out three in a row after loading the bases, was as big league as it gets.”

At the plate, junior outfielder Ryan Lollis had two hits and two RBIs, while senior designated hitter Jacob Priday had two hits of his own, including his first home run of the season.

Freshman Kelly Fick is expected to make his first career start for the Tigers at 2 p.m. Monday against Central Florida in Orlando, Fla.