University of Missouri
27-10
Wichita State
21-17
#18 @MizzouSoftball's Offense Breaks Out in Doubleheader Sweep Over Wichita State
4/13/2016 9:37:00 PM | Softball
Tigers hit .440 with 20 runs and six home runs Wednesday
COLUMBIA, Mo. – No. 18 Mizzou Softball (28-10) saw its offense come alive on Wednesday in a doubleheader sweep against Wichita State at University Field. The Tigers tallied an 11-0 run-rule victory in game one and followed that up with a 9-2 win in game two.
Mizzou hit an incredible .440 (22-for-50) against Shockers pitching with 20 runs scored, two doubles, six home runs and 20 RBI. Senior Emily Crane (Troy, Mo.) and junior Kirsten Mack (Riverside, Calif.) each posted two home runs to lead the power brigade.
Junior Chloe Rathburn (Mission Viejo, Calif.) and freshman Rylee Pierce (Visalia, Calif.) contributed one home run apiece to wrap up the Tigers' impressive power production.
Redshirt senior Taylor Gadbois (Maryville, Mo.) hit .571 (4-for-7), redshirt senior Sami Fagan (Dunnellon, Fla.) hit .571 (4-for-7) and sophomore Amanda Sanchez (West Covina, Calif.) raked .500 (2-for-4) to round out a balanced attack.
All four of Mizzou's pitchers logged effective innings Wednesday as well, headlined by freshman Danielle Baumgartner's (Mexico, Mo.) strong start in game one. The first-year Tiger tossed 4.0 shutout frames while allowing three hits. Baumgartner earned the win and improved to 12-3 on the season.
Sophomore Paige Lowary (Dallas Center, Iowa) threw 4.0 effective innings in game two, en route to her team-leading 15th win of the 2016 campaign. Junior Tori Finucane (Germantown, Md.) tossed 2.0 scoreless innings while junior Cheyenne Baxter (Norborne, Mo.) threw in a scoreless inning of work in game one.
KEY MOMENT (GAME ONE)
Mizzou tallied six runs on five hits in the second inning, highlighted by Mack's first home run since mid-February. Gadbois, Crane and Rathburn added on run-producing hits to cap off the big inning for the Tigers.
TOP TIGERS (GAME ONE)
- Baumgartner: (W, 12-3) 4.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 K
- Crane: 2-for-2, 2 R, 2B, HR, 5 RBI, SB
- Rathburn: 2-for-3, HR, 2 RBI
KEY MOMENT (GAME TWO)
The second inning was kind to Mizzou yet again in game two. The Tigers poured on four runs in the second inning to extend their advantage to 5-0. Crane and Fagan produced RBI singles while Rathburn drove in a pair with a base hit.
TOP TIGERS (GAME TWO)
- Fagan: 3-for-4, 3 R, RBI
- Rathburn: 3-for-4, 2B, 3 RBI
- Mack: 1-for-2, HR, RBI
- Finucane: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 K
UP NEXT
Mizzou continues Southeastern Conference play from April 15-17 at No. 12 Kentucky. The series opener on Friday, April 15, in Lexington, Ky., is scheduled for 5 p.m. (CT) first pitch. Fans can watch the SEC matchup live on SEC Network + via WatchESPN.
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).
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Baumgartner, Danielle (12-3)
L: Brooks, J. (11-6)
Batting:
2B: Fortner, B. 1
SH: Wright, M. 1
Batting:
2B: Crane, Emily 1
HR: Crane, Emily 1 ; Rathburn, Chloe 1 ; Mack, Kirsten 1 ; Pierce, Rylee 1
RBI: Gadbois, Taylor 1 ; Crane, Emily 5 ; Rathburn, Chloe 2 ; Mack, Kirsten 2 ; Pierce, Rylee 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Gadbois, Taylor 1 ; Sydney Sprague 1 ; Fagan, Sami 1 ; Crane, Emily 2 ; Rathburn, Chloe 1 ; Tomita, Cosette 1 ; Mack, Kirsten 1 ; Pierce, Rylee 2 ; Fleming, Natalie 1
SB: Gadbois, Taylor 1 ; Crane, Emily 1
HBP: Sanchez, Amanda 1
