COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Softball (27-21, 5-12 SEC) held a five-run advantage on three separate occasions Sunday afternoon, but a thunderous six-run sixth inning by visiting No. 20 Kentucky sealed its improbable comeback.
The visiting Wildcats tallied six runs on four hits in their big sixth frame. A crucial two-out error by the Tigers kept the inning alive, as Kentucky took advantage and knocked a pair of home runs en route to taking its first lead of the ballgame.
Mizzou jumped out to a quick 4-0 advantage in the first inning, aided by a three-run home run from freshman Braxton Burnside (Paragould, Ark.). The Tigers scored two additional runs in their second at bat, as sophomore Kolby Romaine (Chino Hills, Calif.) ripped a two-run RBI to right field.
Mizzou held a 7-2 lead after three innings and an 8-3 advantage after five innings. The Tigers looked primed to salvage one game of this weekend's SEC series, but the Wildcats later exploded for their game-changing six-run sixth inning.
Romaine, sophomore Regan Nash (Camden Point, Mo.) and freshman Cayla Kessinger (Saugus, Calif.) each delivered multi-hit efforts at the plate Sunday for the Tigers. Nash's 12th multi-hit game of the season now ranks second-most on Mizzou. The Tiger left fielder has also now safely reached base in a career high 12 consecutive games.
Burnside's three-run shot in the opening inning marked her 11th mutli-RBI game this year, matching senior Kirsten Mack (Riverside, Calif.) for the team lead.
Hear From the Tigers
Burnside on Sunday's series finale…
"It's definitely disappointing. We started off hot today and really attacked Kentucky's pitchers. We had a comfy lead late, but give credit to them for continuing to claw away. There's still two SEC series left and opportunities for us to get better. We need to have a good week of practice and get ready for LSU next weekend."
Up Next
Mizzou continues SEC play next weekend against No. 16 LSU. The two Tigers programs will play a three-game series in Baton Rouge, La., with the series opener set for Friday, April 28, at 6 p.m. CT. Following a 7 p.m. CT first pitch on Saturday, April 29, Mizzou and LSU will close its weekend set on Sunday, April 30, at 2 p.m. CT.
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