University of Missouri
29-12, 0
#12 Kentucky
36-9, 0
#18 @MizzouSoftball Bounces Back with 9-2 Win at #12 Kentucky
4/16/2016 7:36:00 PM | Softball
Freshman Kolby Romaine (HR, 3 RBI) sparks Tigers' offense
LEXINGTON, Ky. – No. 18 Mizzou Softball (29-11, 6-8 SEC) tallied a big 9-2 victory on Saturday in game two of the weekend series at No. 12 Kentucky. The Tigers took advantage of six Wildcats errors on the evening and home runs from sophomore Amanda Sanchez (West Covina, Calif.) and freshman Kolby Romaine (Chino Hills, Calif.) en route to their win.
Sophomore Paige Lowary (Dallas Center, Iowa) earned her team-leading 16th win of the season with a complete game outing in the circle. Lowary allowed only one earned run over seven innings of work while striking out six Kentucky batters.
The Tigers struck first for the second consecutive night. A throwing error by the Wildcats third basemen allowed freshman Chase Nelson (Paragould, Ark.) to race home for the opening run. After making a leaping grab to end the first inning, Romaine delivered a key two-out RBI single for the Tigers' second run.
Kentucky answered in the bottom half of the second with one run. Following a scoreless third inning by both teams, the Tigers' pushed three runs across the plate in the fourth inning. Sanchez smashed a solo home run to kick off the scoring and four batters later Romaine hit her first career home run with a two-run shot to left.
Mizzou scored at least one run in each of the fifth, sixth and seventh innings to cap off its bounce back victory. Redshirt senior Sami Fagan (Dunnellon, Fla.) recorded her 42nd RBI of the year with a run-producing ground out in the sixth.
The Tigers wreaked havoc on the basepaths all night long, as their six stolen bases marked the ninth time this season with five-plus stolen bases in a game. Highlighting the running game for Mizzou was senior Emily Crane (Troy, Mo.). Her three stolen bases Saturday upped her season total to 15 and set a new career high for a single game.
Redshirt senior Taylor Gadbois (Maryville, Mo.) recorded her team-leading 17th multi-hit game of the season. Sanchez and freshman Rylee Pierce (Visalia, Calif.) also recorded multi-hit efforts at the plate, marking their 15th and 11th multi-hit game of the year, respectively.
KEY MOMENT
Mizzou held a slim 2-1 advantage heading to the top of the fourth inning. After ending the previous inning on a stellar defensive play, Sanchez led off the inning and smacked her fourth home run of the season. Making her first career start, Romaine walked up to the plate four batters later and launched her first career home run.
TOP TIGERS
- Romaine: 2-for-4, HR, 3 RBI
- Lowary (W, CG, 16-5) 7.0 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 6 K
- Sanchez: 2-for-4, HR, RBI
UP NEXT
The series finale between the Tigers and Wildcats is scheduled for 11 a.m. (CT) on Sunday, April 17. Fans can tune in on ESPNU for a national broadcast of Sunday's Top 25 matchup. Two days later, Mizzou travels to Iowa on Tuesday, April 19, for a doubleheader. Game one is set for 3 p.m. (CT) first pitch.
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: Lowary, Paige (16-5)
L: Prince,M (16-3)
Batting:
2B: Mack, Kirsten 1
HR: Sanchez, Amanda 1 ; Romaine, Kolby 1
RBI: Fagan, Sami 1 ; Sanchez, Amanda 1 ; Romaine, Kolby 3
Base Running:
RUNS: Gadbois, Taylor 1 ; Crane, Emily 1 ; Fagan, Sami 1 ; Sanchez, Amanda 1 ; Chase Nelson 1 ; Mack, Kirsten 1 ; Pierce, Rylee 1 ; Nash, Regan 1 ; Romaine, Kolby 1
SB: Gadbois, Taylor 1 ; Crane, Emily 3 ; Fagan, Sami 1 ; Pierce, Rylee 1
HBP: Mack, Kirsten 1
Batting:
2B: Cheek 1
RBI: Hinz,B 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Samuel 1 ; Rainwater 1
