COLUMBIA, Mo. – No. 24 Mizzou Softball (10-8) concluded its first-ever tournament inside the new Mizzou Stadium on Sunday, tallying a doubleheader split against Maryland and Butler. The Tigers saw a late six-run advantage to Maryland slip away in game one, but responded with a run-rule triumph over Butler in their finale.
In Mizzou's 8-0 victory over Butler, sophomore RHP Danielle Baumgartner (Mexico, Mo.) produced the program's 39th all-time no-hitter. Additionally, it was the Tigers' first no-hitter in the circle since May 4, 2013, when Chelsea Thomas shutdown Tennessee.
Game One (vs. Maryland)
Mizzou suffered a disappointing loss in its first game Sunday afternoon, falling 9-8 to the Terrapins in nine innings. The Tigers scored a season high seven runs in the sixth inning to take their first lead of the game, but couldn't hold their new advantage in the seventh.
The two teams needed extras to decide a winner, marking Mizzou's first extra-inning game of the season. After the Tigers and Terrapins exchanged runs in the eighth inning, the visiting team tallied their ultimate game-winning run in the top half of the ninth.
Junior Paige Bange (Jefferson City, Mo.), freshman Cayla Kessinger (Saugus, Calif.), redshirt junior Anna Reed (Lonedell, Mo.) and freshman Braxton Burnside (Paragould, Ark.) each recorded big RBIs in the Tigers' seven-run sixth inning.
Senior Natalie Fleming (Silex, Mo.) delivered the biggest blow of the frame, launching a three-run home run to left. Despite the loss, senior Cheyenne Baxter (Norborne, Mo.) was effective in the circle, allowing only one earned run over 7.0 innings.
Game Two (vs. Butler)
The Tigers put together a complete game against the Bulldogs, resulting in their third run-rule victory of the season. Overall, Mizzou now has five shutout wins on the year.
A total of four home runs left the yard from Tigers batters, matching the team's single season high. Junior Amanda Sanchez (West Covina, Calif.), Fleming and Kessinger all posted long balls in Mizzou's four-run third inning.
Freshman Taylor Kirby (Decatur, Ill.) capped the Tigers' impressive offensive output in fine fashion, as her first career home run sealed the team's five inning triumph.
Overall this weekend, Sanchez hit a team-best .500 (10-for-20) with eight runs scored, four doubles, three home runs and five RBI. Burnside, Fleming and Kessinger also tallied multiple home runs over their respective Mizzou Tournament. Collectively, the Tigers hit .303 with 37 runs scored, 13 doubles and 10 home runs over their six games in Mid-Missouri.
Hear From the Tigers
Baumgartner on her no-hitter…
"Yeah, I knew going into that last inning (fifth). I was in the dugout and said 'nobody say it' and everyone else said 'say what'? It was big for us to bounce back after the Maryland game. We were really in a low spot after that loss. It was a good way for us to transition into next weekend."
Kirby on her first career home run…
"It felt good, but I really thought it was going to go foul. I was nervous about that. But I saw the pitch go right down the middle and thought 'don't screw it up, don't screw it up' and I came out swinging. I've had walk off home runs before, but not a big one like this."
Up Next
The Tigers open their 2017 Southeastern Conference schedule next weekend (March 11-13) against No. 1 Florida. Mizzou will meet the Gators in Gainesville, Fla., for three games over three days.
Following their SEC opener, the Tigers return home for a quick Wednesday (March 15) doubleheader against Iowa. Game one is scheduled for 3 p.m. (CT) inside Mizzou Stadium.
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).
