CLEARWATER, Fla. – Mizzou Softball (16-11) saw its lineup come alive Saturday afternoon at Eddie C. Moore Softball Complex, producing 29 runs on 30 hits in victories over North Dakota State and South Florida.
Against the Bison in game one, freshman Braxton Burnside (Paragould, Ark.) put together one of the top individual performances in Mizzou and Southeastern Conference history. Overall, Burnside went 3-for-5 with two grand slams and 10 RBI. Her 10 runners driven in set a new Mizzou program (43 years) individual single-game record, surpassing Tiffany Heick's (Feb. 27, 1993) old mark.
Burnside's 10 RBI also tied the SEC's all-time individual single-game record. She became only the third player ever to drive in 10 runners in the conference's 21-year history. Finally, Burnside's production against North Dakota State marked the most single-game RBI by an SEC player this year and second-most driven in by anyone in the NCAA.
Collectively, the Tigers offense strung together easily their best effort this season. Over Saturday's doubleheader, an impressive 11 Mizzou batters hit .300-plus, while an astounding six hitters eclipsed a .500 average.
Burnside, senior Kirsten Mack (Riverside, Calif.) and sophomore Regan Nash (Camden Point, Mo.) each produced a team-best four hits over the two-game stretch. Mack and senior Natalie Fleming (Silex, Mo.) joined Burnside in the power game, as each tallied home runs in game two versus South Florida.
Nash served as the Tigers' table setter all day long, producing six runs scored and three stolen bases. Her four runs scored against North Dakota State marked a new career high, while tying the Tigers' individual single-game high this season.
Mizzou totaled an incredible 10 multi-hit games over Saturday's doubleheader. Nash and Mack produced multiples hits in each game, while freshman Gabby Garrison (Missouri City, Texas), redshirt freshman Jolie Duffner (Jefferson City, Mo.), freshman Cayla Kessinger (Saugus, Calif.), sophomore Rylee Pierce (Visalia, Calif.) and sophomore Kolby Romaine (Chino Hills, Calif.) each accomplished the feat once.
Hear From the Tigers
Burnside on her record-setting performance against North Dakota State…
"I was seeing the ball well today and I'm glad I was able to help the team get the runs we needed to win. The records I accomplished today are nice, but there is still a lot of season left. I'm just trying to focus on each opponent one game at a time and continue to contribute to our team's success."
Up Next
The 2017 South Florida Tournament concludes on Sunday, March 19, with an early start against Monmouth. The Tigers and Hawks are scheduled for an 8 a.m. (CT) first pitch at Eddie C. Moore Complex.
Mizzou returns to Southeastern Conference play next weekend (March 24-26) with a visit to No. 7 Texas A&M.
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