COLUMBIA, MO. • With its slugger back and the program brimming with hope, the Missouri baseball team was about to start its third season under coach Steve Bieser when the NCAA delivered a fastball to the ribs on Jan. 31.
The Tigers were about to hold a practice that day when the Committee on Infractions announced sanctions for MU’s baseball, football and softball programs, including a one-year postseason ban that no one saw coming.
After Bieser gave his players the devastating news, the Tigers slogged through their scheduled practice.
This was supposed to be the year the Tigers snapped their six-year NCAA regional drought after just missing the cut the last couple seasons under Bieser.