#18 @MizzouSoftball Drops Series Opener at #12 Kentucky, 7-6

Friday, April 15

Lexington, Ky.

5:00 PM

University of Missouri

28-11, 5-8

#12 Kentucky

36-8, 12-4

Missouri

Kentucky

#18 @MizzouSoftball Drops Series Opener at #12 Kentucky, 7-6

4/15/2016 8:00:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

Tigers' comeback bid on Friday falls just short

LEXINGTON, Ky. – No. 18 Mizzou Softball (28-11, 5-8 SEC) nearly completed its biggest comeback victory of the season on Friday but fell 7-6 to No. 12 Kentucky in the series opener. The host Wildcats jumped out to a 7-1 advantage after two innings of play but the Tigers responded with five unanswered runs. Mizzou's bats went quiet in the final three frames as Kentucky barely held on for the victory.

The Tigers struck first in the opening frame following junior Chloe Rathburn's (Mission Viejo, Calif.) team-leading 46th RBI of the season. Mizzou's early lead was short lived however as Kentucky scored six runs on six hits in the bottom half of the first.

Seniors Sami Fagan (Dunnellon, Fla.) and Emily Crane (Troy, Mo.) teamed up in the third inning to cut into Kentucky's early advantage. Fagan recorded an RBI fielder's choice for the Tigers' second run of the game. Two batters later, the senior duo successfully tallied a double steal and Crane raced across the plate.

A wacky fourth inning saw Mizzou push three across the plate and make it a one-run ballgame. Crane secured her 13th multi-hit game of the year with a two-RBI double. Kentucky's left fielder then made a throwing error, allowing Crane to race home on the play.

Tigers pitching reeled off four consecutive scoreless innings to keep the game close. Freshman Danielle Baumgartner (Mexico, Mo.) and junior Paige Lowary (Dallas Center, Iowa) retired 12 consecutive Kentucky batters from the third inning to sixth inning. Lowary was especially dominant in relief, striking out four Wildcats hitters and not allowing a hit.

Mizzou's comeback bid was halted after its three-run fourth inning. Kentucky's starting pitcher re-entered the game in the fifth inning and tossed three consecutive scoreless innings to clinch its one-run victory.

KEY MOMENT

Mizzou jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the opening frame. Kentucky had a big answer in the bottom half of the first, reeling off six runs on six hits. The Wildcats bruised and battered Mizzou pitching in the first inning, including three home runs. Kentucky's early 7-1 advantage proved to be too much for the Tigers as their comeback effort fell one run short.

TOP TIGERS

Crane: 2-for-3, 3 R, 2B, 2 RBI, SB
Lowary: 3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K

UP NEXT

Game two of the three-game series at No. 12 Kentucky is scheduled for 4 p.m. (CT) on Saturday, April 16. The Top 25 SEC matchup will broadcast 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).