COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Softball (27-20, 5-11 SEC) struggled to solve Wildcats pitching on Saturday afternoon, as it suffered a 4-0 shutout loss inside Mizzou Softball Stadium. Kentucky's Erin Rethlake fired a complete game victory, while limiting only three hits to Tigers' batters.
Two of Mizzou's three hits were courtesy of sophomore Regan Nash (Camden Point, Mo.), as she produced her 11th multi-hit game this season. After subbing in centerfield as a defensive replacement midway through the game, redshirt junior Anna Reed (Lonedell, Mo.) tallied the Tigers' third and final hit in the seventh inning.
The Wildcats' Rethlake provided countless opportunities for Mizzou hitters to break through by issuing five walks and hitting a batter. The Tigers' continually faltered with runners on base however, including stranding seven runners over their final three turns at the dish.
Despite only recording one hit through six innings of play, Mizzou brought the potential tying run to the plate in the bottom half of the seventh. Following a two-out walk and consecutive singles, the Tigers had the bases loaded in their final at bat. Kentucky's Rethlake ultimately won the clutch head-to-head battle, as her fourth and final strikeout of the game secured her team's win.
Freshman Parker Conrad (Winter Park, Fla.) received her first career Southeastern Conference start today and tossed a career-best five innings. Conrad was rather effective throughout her outing despite suffering the loss in the circle. Two of Kentucky's three runs off the first-year Tiger came in the first inning, as multiple weakly hit balls found a way through Mizzou's defense.
Redshirt sophomore Madi Norman (Tipton, Mo.) finished Saturday's contest with two effective innings in the circle. Norman allowed two hits to the Wildcats, while striking out three batters.
Hear From the Tigers
Conrad on today's start in the circle…
"It had been a while since I got a start, so it felt good to be back in that position. A lot of their hits today weren't hit very hard, so I felt like my stuff was moving well. I was real happy with how my changeup was working especially."
Up Next
Mizzou and No. 20 Kentucky conclude their weekend series on Sunday, April 23. First pitch inside Mizzou Softball Stadium is scheduled for noon and the game will broadcast live on SEC Network + via WatchESPN.
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