#15 @MizzouSoftball Drops NCAA Super Regional Opener, 5-3

Saturday, May 28

Ann Arbor, Mich.

2:00 PM

University of Missouri

42-15

#2 Michigan

50-5

Missouri

Michigan

#15 @MizzouSoftball Drops NCAA Super Regional Opener, 5-3

5/28/2016 5:40:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

Tigers need two wins Sunday to keep 2016 campaign alive

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – No. 15 Mizzou Softball (42-15) and No. 2 Michigan competed in a close opening game of the NCAA Ann Arbor Super Regional on Saturday as the Wolverines ultimately prevailed, 5-3. The Tigers trailed by only one run heading to the fifth inning, but a late two-run home run by Michigan sealed its game one triumph.

Michigan got the home crowd to its feet early, pushing three runs across the plate on three hits. The Wolverines took advantage of a walk, hit by pitch and a Mizzou error in their opening inning scoring.

The Tigers threatened in the first two innings, but ultimately stranded four total runners in their first two looks against Michigan's starting pitcher. Mizzou finally broke through in the top half of the third with junior Chloe Rathburn's (Mission Viejo, Calif.) two-run home run. The blast gave Rathburn 60 RBI on the year, marking only the seventh time in school history that a batter has recorded 60-plus RBI in a single season.

Sophomore Paige Lowary (Dallas Center, Iowa) settled down nicely following a tough opening frame. Lowary tossed three consecutive scoreless frames from the second-fourth inning. The Wolverines held on to a slim one-run lead in the fifth inning, but added key insurance runs in the bottom half with a two-out two-run home run.

Mizzou got one run back in the sixth inning, following a solo home run to left by junior Kirsten Mack (Riverside, Calif.). The Tigers threatened to even the score at five apiece, but a line drive to centerfield with two runners on ended their scoring threat.

Mizzou had its opportunities against Michigan pitching all day long, as it tallied seven hits and drew three walks with two runners also reaching base via hit by pitch. The Wolverines' hurler worked in-and-out of trouble all day long, stranding nine Mizzou runners over the course of the game.

Mack led the Tigers' attack with her sixth multi-hit game of the season. Rathburn's two-run home run in the third inning sealed her 15th multi-RBI effort of the year.

The Tigers and Wolverines meet for game two of the Super Regional on Sunday, May 29. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m. (CT) and the matchup will broadcast live on ESPN. With a win in game two, Michigan advances to the Women's College World Series. Mizzou can force a winner take all game three on Sunday afternoon with a game two win.

For complete coverage of the 2016 NCAA Softball Super Regional in Ann Arbor, Mich., continue to check in to MUTigers.com. Fans can also find coverage on Twitter (@MizzouSoftball), Facebook and Instagram.