COLUMBIA, Mo. – No. 24 Mizzou Softball (8-6) opened its era at the brand new Mizzou Stadium on Friday, salvaging a doubleheader split against No. 4 Oregon and Stephen F. Austin. After falling 10-3 to the Ducks in game one, the Tigers bounced back with a run-rule 14-6 victory (five innings) over the Lady Jacks.
Game One (vs. No. 4 Oregon)
Oregon tallied a pair of runs in its first at bat, taking advantage of costly Tigers defensive mistakes. Following a leadoff single by the Ducks, their three-hole hitter skied two pop ups in foul territory for potential Mizzou outs, but the home team failed to haul them in. Oregon's batter took advantage of her three chances at the plate, ultimately hitting a towering two-run home run to left field.
The Ducks' starting pitcher in the circle cruised through her first three innings, striking out six Tigers batters. Mizzou finally broke through in the fourth inning, as junior Amanda Sanchez (West Covina, Calif.) launched a solo home run to left-center, marking her first long ball of the season.
With a slim 2-1 advantage heading into the fifth inning, Oregon's bats came alive the rest of the evening, tallying eight runs on nine hits. Three costly Mizzou errors played a factor into the Ducks' success in the last third of the game.
Freshman Braxton Burnside (Paragould, Ark.) smashed a solo home run, while senior Chloe Rathburn (Mission Viejo, Calif.) tallied an RBI double in the bottom half of the sixth inning. The Tigers' late surge wasn't enough however, as the visiting Ducks later closed out their win.
Game Two (vs. Stephen F. Austin)
After being held to only five hits in game one, Mizzou's bats exploded for a season high 14 runs on 15 hits, en route to a five inning run-rule triumph.
Sanchez stole the show at the plate, producing a perfect 4-for-4 game against Lady Jacks pitching. The Tiger third basemen smacked two doubles and her second home run of the doubleheader to drive in three runners. Sanchez's four hits marked a new single game career high.
Her left side of the infield counterpart, Burnside, also starred at the plate against Stephen F. Austin. The Tiger shortstop went 2-for-3 with a double and her sixth home run of the season. Through their first 14 games played this year, Burnside paces all Tigers hitters in runs scored (12), hits (16), doubles (5), home runs (6) and RBI (17).
Redshirt junior Anna Reed (Lonedell, Mo.) was the third Mizzou batter with a multi-hit effort, as she tallied a perfect 3-for-3 game at the dish. Reed recorded three singles in three consecutive innings to set a new single-game career high in hits.
Freshman Cayla Kessinger (Saugus, Calif.) accounted for one of three Mizzou home runs against the Lady Jacks, as her solo shot in the third inning marked her second of the season.
In the circle, senior Cheyenne Baxter (Norborne, Mo.) went the distance, allowing only one earned run over 5.0 innings. Baxter had the opposition on their heels throughout much of the game, leading to a career high eight strikeouts.
Hear From the Tigers
Burnside on the emotions of opening night at the new Mizzou Softball stadium…
"It was awesome. We came out here and got to practice yesterday and got a little taste of it, but tonight, it was awesome. But we really tried to focus on not getting distracted by the 'hoopla' of the big new stadium and tried to focus on what we had to get done tonight."
Head Coach Ehren Earleywine on Burnside's big doubleheader at the plate…
"She's a stud. When she graduates, I think she'll probably end up being one of the best shortstops and potentially one of the best hitters we've had come through our program. She's got six home runs right now and she's still not even close to fully fulfilling her potential."
Up Next
The Tigers continue their run at the 2017 Mizzou Tournament with another doubleheader scheduled for Saturday, March 4. In game one, Mizzou will meet Maryland, followed by a game two rematch against No. 4 Oregon. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. (CT) and 5:30 p.m. (CT), respectively.
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).
