BATON ROUGE, La. – Mizzou Softball (27-22, 5-13 SEC) jumped out to a quick two-run lead in the first inning, but couldn't hold its advantage as No. 17 LSU ultimately claimed a 3-2 victory in Friday evening's series opener inside Tiger Park.
The visiting Tigers took advantage of shaky LSU defense in the opening frame, leading to a quick 2-0 advantage. While Mizzou jumped out to a quick lead in its opening at bat, it ended the frame by stranding the bases loaded. Freshman Braxton Burnside (Paragould, Ark.) and sophomore Kolby Romaine (Chino Hills, Calif.) tallied RBIs in their first turn through the lineup.
The Tigers from Columbia, Mo., possessed endless scoring opportunities over their first three at bats, but stranded six runners and failed to extend their early lead. In the circle, senior Cheyenne Baxter (Norborne, Mo.) mowed down LSU hitters early and often, including six consecutive batters midway through the third inning.
After a leadoff strikeout to open the third, Baxter issued her first walk of the night to the next batter. LSU's second-leading home run hitter made Mizzou pay a batter later, launching a two-run home run off the left field foul pole. In the bottom half of the fourth, LSU once again took advantage of a Baxter walk and produced a two-out RBI single en route to its first lead of the game.
Mizzou recorded four hits in its opening three at bats off LSU's starting pitcher, Allie Walljasper, but only mustered two additional hits the rest of the way. With the end of the third inning through the beginning of the sixth, Walljasper at one point retired 10 consecutive Mizzou batters.
Despite the collective struggles at the plate, Mizzou still only trailed by one run in the sixth inning. Freshman Cayla Kessinger (Saugus, Calif.) produced a one-out double in the top half of the frame, but the next two Tigers were retired in order.
The visiting Tigers had another great scoring opportunity in the seventh inning, as sophomore Regan Nash (Camden Point, Mo.) opened the frame with a single. Nash's infield base hit secured her 13th multi-hit effort this season. After tallying her 14th stolen base of the year, Mizzou had the potential tying run at second base. The Tigers couldn't capitalize however, as a fly out to centerfield and a strikeout looking officially capped the evening.
Hear From the Tigers
Nash on dropping tonight's series opener…
"We did a great job in that first inning, but couldn't keep that momentum going the rest of the night. Cheyenne (Baxter) did a great job in the circle and gave us a chance all night. We just have to do a better job of giving her more run support."
Up Next
Mizzou and LSU conclude their weekend series on Saturday, April 29. The two Tigers programs will now play a doubleheader with game one slated for a 4:30 p.m. CT first pitch. Game two and the series finale is scheduled for a 7 p.m. CT start inside Tiger Park. Fans can watch game one on ESPN2, while game two will air live on ESPN.
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