UPDATED: Missouri pitcher continues scoreless innings streak
COLUMBIA — Aaron Crow has been called many things. Among them, “ace,” “best pitcher in the country,” “potential No. 1 draft pick” and “unbelievable” are among the most frequent. After putting zeros on the scoreboard for 42-and-2/3 consecutive innings, however, calling Crow one of the most dominant pitchers in college baseball history can’t be too far off.
Still, there is some confusion about what would be the NCAA record. According to Arizona State University, the record stands 43 innings pitched, by former Arizona State pitcher Eddie Bane in 1972, which would leave Crow one out short. But Ben McDonald, while at LSU, pitched 44 and 2/3 innings. There may be longer streaks as well.
Though he was obviously happy with the streak, Crow said that he and his teammates have a bigger goal.
“People said stuff to me about it, but I try to ignore it, just go out there and try to get guys out,” Crow said..
I don’t really care, as long as we keep winning games.”
If he keeps pitching like he has been, that shouldn’t be a problem.
“He made big pitches and had great defense behind him,” Missouri coach Tim Jamieson said. “He was pretty good to put up zeros like that against that kind of team.”
With several exceptional plays cutting down runners attempting to advance, including one at the plate executed by third baseman Kyle Mach, Crow neutralized the Big 12 Conference’s best offense, striking out seven Cowboys despite having been struck in the shoulder by a line-drive off the bat of the first hitter he faced.
Records aside, the performance was just more of the same to Crow’s teammates.
“That’s kind of become the norm for Crow, nine innings every week,” outfielder Jacob Priday said. “It’s pretty unbelievable.”