#16 @MizzouSoftball Posts Eighth-Straight Win, Second Consecutive SEC Series Sweep

Sunday, May 1

Starkville, Miss.

3:30 PM

University of Missouri

37-12, 12-9

Mississippi State

25-27, 3-18

Missouri

Mississippi State

#16 @MizzouSoftball Posts Eighth-Straight Win, Second Consecutive SEC Series Sweep

5/1/2016 6:51:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

Tigers explode for all nine runs in final four innings

STARKVILLE, Miss. - No. 16 Mizzou Softball (37-12, 12-9 SEC) tallied its eighth-consecutive victory on Sunday, sealing its second-straight series sweep in Southeastern Conference play. The 9-2 win over Mississippi State at Nusz Park marked the Tigers' second-longest winning streak this year.

Mizzou made school history on Sunday, setting the new single-season school record for most team stolen bases. The Tigers tallied two total stolen bases on the afternoon, marking 143 for the 2016 campaign. This year's Mizzou squad surpassed the 1988 Tigers who recorded 142 total stolen bases.

Five Tiger hitters recorded multi-hit days against Bulldogs pitching, leading to 15 total hits on the afternoon. Sophomore Amanda Sanchez (West Covina, Calif.), junior Chloe Rathburn (Mission Viejo, Calif.) and junior Kirsten Mack (Riverside, Calif.) also produced standout three-hit days at the plate.

In the circle, sophomore Paige Lowary (Dallas Center, Iowa) was impressive out of the bullpen, allowing zero runs in 6.0 innings pitched. Lowary tallied her team-leading 20th victory of the season.

The host Bulldogs reached the scoreboard with two runs in the first inning. Three walks by Tiger pitching fueled Mississippi State's fast start, as an RBI single and sacrifice fly brought its first runs of the game across the plate.

It took the Tigers until the fourth inning for their first runs, but solo home runs from Rathburn and freshman Rylee Pierce (Visalia, Calif.) provided a much needed spark.

Mizzou took its first lead of the afternoon following a fifth inning RBI single by Rathburn. Before the clutch hit, the Tigers recorded consecutive two-out hits to give Rathburn the RBI opportunity.

The Tigers scored for the third consecutive inning in the sixth, as redshirt senior Taylor Gadbois (Maryville, Mo.) delivered a big two-out two-run single. Mizzou once again struck in its final at bat, highlighted by a three-run home run from Natalie Fleming (Silex, Mo.)

KEY MOMENT

Mizzou's bats produced in the first three innings but struggled to drive runners in. That trend ended in the fourth inning, following a pair of solo home runs. The confidence spewed out of the Tigers' hitters the remainder of the game, as they tallied all nine runs in the final four innings of play.

TOP TIGERS

Lowary (W, 20-6): 6.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 K
Rathburn: 3-for-4, R, HR, 2 RBI
Mack: 3-for-4, 2 R, RBI
Pierce: 2-for-4, 2 R, HR, RBI
Fleming: 1-for-4, R, HR, 3 RBI

UP NEXT

Mizzou returns to University Field from May 6-8 for its 2016 regular season home series finale. The Tigers host South Carolina on Friday, May 6, for the series opener. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. (CT) and fans can watch 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).