| Game | Location | Day/Time (CT) | Media |
|---|---|---|---|
| vs. South Carolina | Columbia, S.C. | Saturday // 11:00 a.m. | Live Stats |
| vs. South Carolina | Columbia, S.C. | Sunday // 5:00 p.m. | Live Stats |
| vs. South Carolina | Columbia, S.C. | Monday // 6:00 p.m. | Live Stats |
COLUMBIA, S.C.- Mizzou Softball begins its third season competing in the Southeastern Conference this weekend as the Tigers travel to the other Columbia and take on the South Carolina Gamecocks in a three-game set. Mizzou and South Carolina are 3-3 all-time against one another, but the Tigers have won the last three after a sweep in 2013. The SEC slate launches in style with all three games being televised on the SEC Network.
TIGER TALES
• Mizzou has won its last five conference opening games and six of its last eight since head coach Ehren Earleywine's arrival. In that span, the Tigers have a 10-7 record on conference-opening weekend. This is the first time Mizzou isn't starting conference play vs. Texas A&M since 2012, when the Tigers swept rival Kansas.
• In nine appearances, sophomore pitcher Cheyenne Baxter has been lights out, surrendering two earned runs in 18.1 innings in the circle. Baxter ranks fifth in the SEC in ERA (0.76) and leads the conference in runs allowed (2) and hits allowed (14).
• The Tigers have swiped 25 bases as a team on 27 attempts. Mizzou's first three hitters in the lineup are responsible for 23 of the squad's stolen bases. Meanwhile, Tiger catchers have allowed just two stolen bases, the lowest mark in the SEC.
• The Tiger pitching staff now owns a 1.75 combined ERA through 13 games. Mizzou has the fifth lowest ERA in the SEC.
• Freshman Amanda Sanchez has started all 13 of Mizzou's games at third base. Sanchez has been efficient in the field while adjusting offensively, collecting 25 assists while only committing two errors. She had a breakout performance against Penn State, going 3-for-5 at the plate with three RBI. In that game, Sanchez pummeled her first career home run to tack on a Tiger insurance in the eighth-inning of a wild comeback victory for Mizzou. She has drawn a team-high eight walks and boasts a .413 OBP.
• The Tigers have stolen 25 bases in 27 attempts. Meanwhile, Mizzou catchers have allowed only two combined stolen bases, which tops the SEC.
• At the Citrus Classic, junior Sami Fagan went 5-for-7 combined in wins over Penn State and Maryland with four runs scored, four stolen bases, three RBI and two walks.
• Fagan has recorded three hits in a game on three separate occasions already. She has five multi-hit games and five multi-RBI games, recording three RBI in a contest on three separate occasions thus far. Fagan leads the team with 19 RBI and a .689 slugging percentage. Her career batting average improved to .359, moving her to fifth all-time in school history.
• The last time Mizzou drew at least 10 walks in a game was 12 vs. Maryland in 2013. The Tigers drew nine walks in a win last Sunday vs. Maryland.
• After an 11-7 comeback win over Penn State, Mizzou has played in 17 extra-inning games since 2010 and won seven of their last 10.
- THE OPPONENT
• Led by head coach Beverly Smith, South Carolina is 15-5 with victories over No. 14/16 California, North Carolina and Stanford. Following two sub. 500 seasons, the Gamecocks have won 34 and 36 games, respectively in the last two campaigns. In those two seasons, the Gamecocks clinched back-to-back NCAA Tournament berths.
• The Gamecocks have four hitters that have played 16 games or more batting north of .350. Junior OF Alaynie Page has started all 20 contests and currently owns a .441 batting average with 14 extra-base hits and 25 RBI. Senior Kristen Struett adds a .390 average at the dish and 23 hits for a tough 1-2 punch at the top of the lineup.
• South Carolina's pitching staff is paced by sophomore hurler Nickie Blue. Blue was a member of the 2014 SEC All-Freshman Team. She was the 2014 NCAA Divison I and SEC leader in saves with seven. Blue is 8-2 in 10 starts with a 0.93 ERA in 75.1 innings in the circle. She has allowed just 10 earned runs and thrown six complete games thus far.
