COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Softball (26-18) opened this week's homestand with a bang on Tuesday, posting a pair of run-rule wins over Southeast Missouri State. In game one, the Tigers claimed a 14-3 victory in five innings, followed by a 9-1 game two triumph in six innings.
The Tigers' offense delivered staggering numbers inside Mizzou Softball Stadium over their two wins. In all, Mizzou recorded a ridiculous .508 (30-for-59) average with 23 runs scored, three doubles, three home runs, 21 RBI and six stolen bases.
Sophomore Regan Nash (Camden Point, Mo.), sophomore Rylee Pierce (Visalia, Calif.), freshman Cayla Kessinger (Saugus, Calif.), freshman Braxton Burnside (Paragould, Ark.) and sophomore Kolby Romaine (Chino Hills, Calif.) all posted four-plus hits over their respective doubleheaders.
In Tuesday's opener, Burnside went a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with a game-clinching grand slam to left-center. The Tigers shortstop's third grand slam of the season also reset her single-game career high in hits. Burnside's game one run-producing effort marked her team-leading 10th multi-RBI game this year and her team-leading third contest with five-plus RBI.
Game two was headlined by yet another perfect 4-for-4 effort at the plate, as Romaine was flawless against Redhawks pitching. Romaine's three RBI matched her single-game career high, while her four knocks established a new career personal best.
Hits were aplenty all day for the Tigers, as fans witnessed an astounding 10 individual multi-hit performances. Nash, Pierce and Kessinger led the way with multi-hit efforts in each game. Senior Kirsten Mack (Riverside, Calif.) drove in a team-high six RBI Tuesday, highlighted by a two-run home run in game one.
Mizzou's 17 total hits in game two against SEMO matched its 2017 season high in single-game knocks. In the circle, senior Cheyenne Baxter (Norborne, Mo.) and sophomore Danielle Baumgartner (Mexico, Mo.) picked up wins for the Tigers.
Hear From the Tigers
Romaine on her perfect game two performance at the plate…
"Yeah, I just felt really balanced today. I was seeing the ball really well and I didn't want to make things too complicated. If it was a strike, I was going to swing."
Head Coach Ehren Earleywine on the Tigers' doubleheader sweep…
"I was glad we took care of business today. It's easy to get tripped up in mid-weeks. We got behind 2-0 in the first game and they had their ace pitcher going. I was glad we answered back and put the game out of range quickly. If you let teams hang around, you give them confidence and next thing you know you're fighting for your life."
Up Next
The Tigers welcome Nebraska-Omaha to Mizzou Softball Stadium on Wednesday, April 19, for another mid-week nonconference matchup. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. CT and it will mark the Tigers and Mavericks' first-ever meeting.
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).
