BATON ROUGE, La. – Mizzou Softball (28-23, 6-14 SEC) split its Saturday doubleheader at No. 17 LSU, falling 3-1 in game one while bouncing back with a 3-1 win of its own in the nightcap.
Despite dropping two of three this weekend at Tiger Park, Mizzou's pitching turned in a stellar performance in the circle. Overall, the visiting Tigers' hurlers limited LSU to seven runs over three games, while producing a 1.84 ERA and a miniscule .209 batting average against.
Mizzou's game two victory tonight marked its impressive eighth triumph this season over a current top 25 RPI ball club.
Game One
Redshirt sophomore Madi Norman (Tipton, Mo.) delivered her top start in SEC action this season, but one mistake in the sixth inning ultimately costed the visiting Tigers. Through the opening five innings, Norman allowed only one unearned run and struck out six batters. Her six punch outs marked the most in a conference game this season.
After allowing a one-out walk in the bottom of the sixth, Norman surrendered a go-ahead two-run home run to the next batter. Mizzou was still within striking distance despite LSU's blast, but similar to Friday evening's series opener the visiting Tigers failed to deliver a key hit.
Mizzou cracked the scoreboard first courtesy of a third inning RBI double by sophomore Regan Nash (Camden Point, Mo.). The visiting Tigers held a brief 1-0 lead, but it was short lived after LSU took advantage of two costly Mizzou fielding errors in the bottom half of the frame.
Mizzou certainly had its scoring chances in game one, but left at least one runner on base in six consecutive innings. The visiting Tigers' top opportunities occurred in the fifth and seventh innings, as they had two runners on with two outs each frame.
Sophomore Kolby Romaine (Chino Hills, Calif.) had Mizzou's most success off of LSU starting pitcher Carley Hoover, as she produced her eighth multi-hit game this season.
Game Two
Things got off to an eerily similar start for Mizzou's offense, as it stranded five runners over its first three at bats. The visiting Tigers finally broke through in the fourth inning with an RBI single from senior Chloe Rathburn (Mission Viejo, Calif.). Alongside a single in the second inning, Rathburn's RBI knock in the fourth secured her sixth multi-hit game of the season.
Mizzou tacked on to its lead in the seventh inning, scoring two runs on two hits. Romaine and freshman Braxton Burnside (Paragould, Ark.) opened the frame with consecutive singles. LSU's fourth error of the game allowed the visiting Tigers' first run to score, while an RBI sacrifice fly by sophomore Rylee Pierce (Visalia, Calif.) pushed the next run across.
With a 3-0 advantage heading into the bottom half of the seventh, senior Cheyenne Baxter (Norborne, Mo.) saved her best work for last, enabling Mizzou's series finale victory. LSU's leadoff hitter reached base on a Mizzou throwing error and ultimately wound up at third base on the play. Consecutive singles by the host Tigers earned their first run of the game.
Two batters later, Mizzou issued an intentional walk to load the bases with one out. Clinging on to a two-run lead, Baxter stepped up and forced a pop up to first base and a game-ending line out to left field. Saturday's series finale win marked Baxter's sixth SEC triumph against a nationally ranked top 25 opponent.
Up Next
Following three off days, Mizzou returns to action on Wednesday, May 3, with a doubleheader at Wichita State. Game one between the Tigers and Shockers in Wichita, Kan., is scheduled for 4 p.m. CT. Both games of the double dip will broadcast live via WatchESPN.
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