CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. – A day after a thrilling top 10 ranked victory, No. 20 Mizzou Softball (7-5) dropped a pair of tough games on Saturday in its 2017 Mary Nutter Classic finale. The Tigers fell 4-1 to Nebraska in game one of their doubleheader, followed by a 6-5 walk-off loss from the hands of UC Santa Barbara.
Mizzou finished its run at this year's Mary Nutter with a 2-3 record.
Game One (vs. Nebraska)
The Tigers' bats delivered an array of hard hit balls all evening against Huskers pitching, but fine Nebraska defensive work and lucky bounces continued to go against Mizzou. In all, the Tigers only mustered one run on two hits, while leaving eight runners on base.
Behind 2-0 entering the sixth inning, senior Natalie Fleming (Silex, Mo.) finally got Mizzou on the scoreboard with an RBI double. The Tigers had two opportunities to tie or take the lead later that inning, but couldn't deliver against Nebraska's relief pitcher.
The Huskers added two big insurance runs in the bottom half of the sixth, putting additional pressure on a struggling Mizzou offense. The Tigers put a runner on in their final at bat, but failed to produce a run. Overall, Mizzou left at least one runner on base in six of its seven innings at the plate.
Freshman Cayla Kessinger (Saugus, Calif.) tallied the Tigers' only other hit in game one, smoking a leadoff double off the top of the wall in the second inning.
Game Two (vs. UC Santa Barbara)
Mizzou jumped out to a quick start in game two of its doubleheader, scoring three runs in the second inning against the Gauchos. Four walks and a costly error by UC Santa Barbara keyed the Tigers' crooked number on the scoreboard.
Sophomore Regan Nash (Camden Point, Mo.) earned her first RBI of the season after drawing a bases loaded walk, while senior Kirsten Mack (Riverside, Calif.) knocked in a runner on a sacrifice fly.
Mizzou built its lead to 4-0 in the fourth inning after Fleming was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. The Gauchos cracked the scoreboard with a single run in the fifth, but Mack responded for the Tigers in the sixth inning with a solo home run to center.
The Tigers brought a three-run advantage into the bottom of the seventh and were one out away from salvaging a final day doubleheader split. A UC Santa Barbara base hit put two runners on with two outs and both runners later scored following a costly Tigers error in left field.
Clinging to a one-run lead while being only one out away from a victory, Mizzou allowed a stunning walk-off two-run blast over the left field fence. The Gauchos' cleanup hitter supplied the game-winning heroics, finishing the game a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with two home runs.
Senior Cheyenne Baxter (Norborne, Mo.) produced a fine start in the circle despite the Tigers' loss, allowing only one earned run over 4.0 innings.
Up Next
Mizzou returns home to Columbia, Mo., next weekend (March 3-5) for its 2017 home opener. The Tigers will host the Mizzou Tournament at their brand new facility, featuring 13 total games between five teams.
Mizzou is scheduled for five games over three days, beginning with a matchup against No. 5 Oregon on Friday, March 3. First pitch is set for 5:30 p.m. (CT) and the game will broadcast live on SEC Network + via WatchESPN.
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