COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Softball (20-14, 3-5 SEC) earned its first walk-off victory of the season Sunday afternoon, defeating No. 9 Alabama, 4-3. Sophomore Kolby Romaine's (Chino Hills, Calif.) RBI single up the middle in the ninth inning also secured the Tigers' first extra-inning victory this year.
Mizzou capped off its first conference series triumph this season, while also claiming its first-ever SEC series win over Alabama. The Tigers' last series victory over the Crimson Tide occurred in 2010, as they took two-of-three in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
On her 20th birthday, sophomore Rylee Pierce (Visalia, Calif.) tallied the first multi-home run game of her career, keying Mizzou's ultimate walk-off win. Each of Pierce's home runs tied the game, as she launched a solo home run in the fourth inning and a two-run home run in the sixth inning.
Senior Cheyenne Baxter (Norborne, Mo.) earned her team-leading eighth victory of the season, after allowing only one earned run over 6.1 innings. Baxter started Sunday's matchup with 3.1 quality innings, before the Tigers went to the bullpen. She re-entered the game in the seventh inning and fired three scoreless frames to shut down the Alabama offense.
Baxter continued her outstanding start to SEC play over this weekend's series against the Crimson Tide. Over five starts in conference action so far, she has accumulated a 3-1 record with a 1.18 ERA and 24 strikeouts over 29.2 innings pitched. Baxter was lights out particularly against Alabama, going 2-0 with a 0.53 ERA.
Pierce and Romaine posted multi-hit games Sunday inside Mizzou Stadium, marking their seventh and fifth multi-hit efforts this year, respectively. Sophomore Regan Nash's (Camden Point, Mo.) first inning single extended her career high hitting streak to 10 games, joining freshman Braxton Burnside (Paragould, Ark.) as Tigers with double-digit hitting streaks so far this season.
Hear From the Tigers
Pierce on her approach against Alabama's Osorio…
"A year ago, the rise ball wasn't a pitch that I liked to swing at. Really, my only mentality today was to see the ball and get on top of it. It worked when it mattered today."
Romaine on her game-winning hit…
"Well, I was thinking the entire time 'look down, look down' and of course she (Osorio) threw up in the zone and I still swung. Once I got two strikes on me, I just moved up on the plate and said if anything's down in the zone go for it. Try to lay off anything high. I shortened up and put the ball in play."
Head Coach Ehren Earleywine on Pierce's day at the plate…
"Yeah, that's one of those days that she'll go to her grave remembering. It was a great day for her. I'm happy for the girls, happy for the team and happy for our fans. We really needed this today."
Up Next
Mizzou continues its season high 10-game homestand on Wednesday, April 5. The Tigers will welcome SEMO to Mizzou Stadium for a doubleheader with game one scheduled for a 3 p.m. (CT) first pitch.
Two days later, Mizzou hosts No. 23 Arkansas for another SEC weekend series. Game one is set for 6:30 p.m. (CT) on Friday, April 7.
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).
