University of Missouri
26-8, 0
#10 Georgia
32-8, 0
#14 @MizzouSoftball Drops Series Opener to #10 Georgia, 12-4
4/8/2016 10:07:00 PM | Softball
Visiting Bulldogs produce 12 runs on 15 hits
COLUMBIA, Mo. – No. 14 Mizzou Softball (26-8, 5-5 SEC) fell 12-4 to No. 10 Georgia in its series opener on Friday. The Tigers held a 3-1 advantage after three innings but couldn't hold on to their lead late.
Georgia kicked off the night's scoring in the opening frame. Mizzou responded in the second inning with an RBI single from freshman Rylee Pierce (Visalia, Calif.). The Tigers tacked on two more runs in the third inning, highlighted by junior Chloe Rathburn's (Mission Viejo, Calif.) team-leading 40th RBI of the year on a sacrifice fly.
Following a controversial call in the fourth inning where it appeared a Bulldogs runner left the base early on a potential inning-ending play, Georgia promptly hit a game-tying two-run home run. The Tigers had a golden opportunity to re-gain the lead in bottom of the fourth but failed to push a runner across after having runners on second and third with no outs.
The Bulldogs took advantage the next inning, tallying three runs in the fifth and re-gaining the lead. Mizzou produced one run in the sixth inning courtesy of a sacrifice fly by junior Natalie Fleming (Silex, Mo.) to cut the deficit to two.
Georgia reeled off six runs on seven hits in the seventh inning to seal its series-opening victory Friday. The 15 hits allowed by Tigers pitching were the most hits produced by an opponent all season.
KEY MOMENT
Mizzou pulled within two runs in the sixth inning and remained in striking distance entering the seventh. The Tigers sent three pitchers to the circle in the final frame as Georgia's offense came alive for six runs on seven hits.
TOP TIGERS
- Crane: 1-for-2, R, 2 BB, SB (season high six-game hitting streak)
- Pierce: 1-for-2, RBI, BB
UP NEXT
Mizzou continues its weekend set against the Bulldogs on Saturday, April 9. First pitch at University Field is scheduled for 5 p.m. (CT) and the game will broadcast live on ESPN2.
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: Chelsea Wilkinson (18-2)
L: Baumgartner, Danielle (11-3)
Batting:
2B: Maeve McGuire 1 ; Katie Browne 1
HR: Alex Hugo 1
RBI: Sydni Emanuel 1 ; Maeve McGuire 1 ; Tina Isoefa 1 ; Alyssa DiCarlo 2 ; Alex Hugo 2 ; Katie Browne 2 ; Lacey Sumerlin 1
SH: Samantha LaZear 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Sydni Emanuel 1 ; Cortni Emanuel 2 ; Maeve McGuire 2 ; Brea Dickey 1 ; Alyssa DiCarlo 1 ; Alex Hugo 2 ; Katie Browne 1 ; Lacey Sumerlin 1 ; Samantha LaZear 1
Batting:
RBI: Rathburn, Chloe 1 ; Pierce, Rylee 1 ; Fleming, Natalie 1
SH: Gadbois, Taylor 1
SF: Rathburn, Chloe 1 ; Fleming, Natalie 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Crane, Emily 1 ; Gadbois, Taylor 1 ; Rathburn, Chloe 1 ; Mack, Kirsten 1
SB: Crane, Emily 1
CS: Fagan, Sami 1
