#13 @MizzouSoftball Claims SEC Opener Over Ole Miss, 5-3

Friday, March 11

Oxford, Miss.

6:00 PM

University of Missouri

14-3, 0

Ole Miss

20-4, 0

Missouri

Ole Miss

#13 @MizzouSoftball Claims SEC Opener Over Ole Miss, 5-3

3/11/2016 9:46:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

Gadbois (4-for-4, 4 SB) sensational at the plate for the Tigers

OXFORD, Miss. – No. 13 Mizzou Softball (14-3, 1-0 SEC) produced a 5-3 comeback victory Friday evening in its 2016 Southeastern Conference season opener. The Tigers' triumph pushed their current winning streak to five games.

Redshirt senior OF Taylor Gadbois (Maryville, Mo.) was sensational on offense, matching her career-high in hits (4) and stolen bases (4). The four stolen bases by Gadbois matched the Mizzou Softball record for most stolen bases in a single game. Gadbois now owns two of the five four stolen base efforts in a single game in program history.

After a rough first inning, sophomore LHP Paige Lowary (Dallas Center, Iowa) was outstanding, limiting Ole Miss to two hits and zero runs in her final six innings of work. Lowary (8-2) earned her third complete game victory of the season on Friday.

Gadbois and SS Sami Fagan (Dunnellon, Fla.) notched consecutive hits to kick off action in the first. Two batters later, Gadbois and freshman 1B Rylee Pierce (Visalia, Calif.) recorded a double steal to put Mizzou on top.

Ole Miss quickly responded in the bottom frame, taking advantage of three walks and two wild pitches by Lowary. The long opening inning ended with Ole Miss holding a 3-1 advantage.

The Tigers cut into Ole Miss' lead in the fourth inning following an RBI single by junior C Kirsten Mack (Riverside, Calif.). Mizzou appeared to tie the game on a sacrifice fly but the runner was called out at home on a close call.

In the fifth inning, Mizzou had a golden opportunity with the bases loaded and only one out. Pierce drove in the tying run with an RBI fielder's choice but the Tigers couldn't push the go-ahead run across the plate.

Mizzou scored for the third consecutive inning in the sixth and regained the lead with two runs. Gadbois tallied her fourth hit of the night for an RBI single and senior OF Emily Crane (Troy, Mo.) used a heads-up base running play to swipe home for the Tigers' fifth run.

Ole Miss put two on and the potential winning run at the plate in the bottom half of the seventh but Lowary induced a 5-3 putout to end the game.

KEY MOMENT

With the score tied at three apiece in the sixth inning, Gadbois knocked in the go-ahead run to cap off a perfect 4-for-4 night at the plate. Two batters later on a seemingly normal toss back to the pitcher following a ball, Crane sprinted home and snuck in before the tag for a big insurance run.

TOP TIGERS

Gadbois: 4-for-4 (matched career high), R, RBI, 4 SB (matched career high)
Lowary: (W (8-2), CG) 7.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 K
Crane: 1-for-2, 2 R, SB

UP NEXT

Mizzou continues its SEC opening weekend slate at Ole Miss on Saturday, March 12. First pitch between the Tigers and Rebels is set for 6 p.m. (CT).

The matchup will broadcast live on SEC Network + via WatchESPN. Fans can also follow the action on Twitter (@MizzouSoftball) and StatBroadcast.com.

Visit MUTigers.com for the latest information on all things Mizzou Softball. You can also find the Tigers on social media by liking us on Facebook (University of Missouri Softball Team) and following us on Twitter and Instagram (@MizzouSoftball).