COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Softball (27-18) took care of business again Wednesday evening inside Mizzou Softball Stadium, tallying a 7-4 win over Nebraska-Omaha. The Tigers produced victories in all three mid-week nonconference matchups heading into their big Southeastern Conference series this weekend against No. 20 Kentucky.
Mizzou scored in each of its opening three at bats, keying an early 7-0 advantage over the visiting Mavericks. Senior Kirsten Mack (Riverside, Calif.) walloped a two-run home run in the second inning, while senior Natalie Fleming (Silex, Mo.) produced a solo home run in the third. Mack's home run was the 32nd of her career, tying for seventh place all-time in Tiger history.
Mack's RBI single in the bottom half of the first inning extended her career-high safely reached base streak to 22 games. That number matches sophomore Rylee Pierce (Visalia, Calif.) for the 10th-longest streak in program history. Mack's two knocks tonight also marked her team-leading 15th multi-hit effort of the year.
Fleming's solo trip to #BombCity in the home half of the third established a new single-season best in home runs. The seventh blast of the season surpassed her previous mark of six, which she set during her 2014 freshman campaign. Fleming finished a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate on the night, marking her first three-plus hit performance this year.
Freshman Gabby Garrison (Missouri City, Texas) continued her recent terror at the plate tonight, producing a perfect 2-for-2 performance. Beginning with the second game of last weekend's series at No. 7 Auburn, Garrison has received five consecutive starts in right field for the Tigers. Over that stretch, she's batting .583 (7-for-12) with a career-best six-game hitting streak.
In the circle, senior Cheyenne Baxter (Norborne, Mo.) tossed four scoreless innings en route to her 14th victory of the season.
Hear From the Tigers
Mack on her recent home run brigade at the plate…
"I'm feeling good and I'm seeing the ball well. I don't know what has really contributed to that other than I know I have to be short with my swing. The brace I'm currently playing in doesn't allow my swing to be long."
Baxter on facing her former team in Nebraska-Omaha…
"I was a little excited. I was wondering if I'd ever get to play them after I transferred from then in 2015. Actually, I was a little more nervous. In SEC play, I'm usually not. But tonight I was like I know these girls and kind of prove myself. So, a little bit of nerves."
Up Next
Mizzou jumps back into Southeastern Conference play this weekend to wrap up its six-game homestand. The Tigers will welcome No. 20 Kentucky to Mizzou Softball Stadium with the series opener scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. CT first pitch on Friday, April 21. Fans can watch the game live on SEC Network + via WatchESPN.
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).
