KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Mizzou Softball (29-26) fell 6-5 to No. 18 LSU Wednesday evening in its 2017 Southeastern Conference Tournament opener. The visiting Tigers from Columbia, Mo., trailed by four runs entering their last at bat and nearly capped off an improbable comeback.
Mizzou ripped four consecutive hits with one out in the seventh inning and suddenly pulled within one run of LSU. Following a two-out single, the host Tigers tallied a game-ending strikeout to halt Mizzou's attempted rally.
The visiting Tigers from Mid-Missouri's 10 hits Wednesday night doubled LSU's total. Two of LSU's five hits were home runs however, as a two-run blast in the second inning and fourth inning grand slam proved to be the deciding factor.
Mizzou saw production from nearly its entire lineup, as seven players recorded at least one hit. Freshman Cayla Kessinger (Saugus, Calif.), freshman Braxton Burnside (Paragould, Ark.) and sophomore Kolby Romaine (Chino Hills, Calif.) paved the way with respective multi-hit efforts at the plate. Kessinger and Romaine each extended their career high hitting streaks to eight games along the way.
After falling behind early from LSU's aforementioned two-run home run in the second inning, Mizzou answered with a pair of runs of its own in the fourth inning. With the bases loaded and zero outs, senior Natalie Fleming (Silex, Mo.) produced a two-run single up the middle. The visiting Tigers couldn't muster further damage that frame however, which ultimately proved costly in the long run.
LSU visited the bullpen after Mizzou evened the score at two apiece. The host Tigers' Sydney Smith was lights out for the next three innings, limiting Mizzou to zero hits and runs. After a leadoff strikeout in the top half of the seventh, Mizzou finally solved Smith with its offensive explosion. LSU went back to original starting pitcher Allie Walljasper to record its game-clinching out.
Sophomore Regan Nash (Camden Point, Mo.) produced a game-opening single and a walk in the seventh frame to extend her career high safely reached streak to 19 games.
Up Next
Mizzou awaits its fate for potential 2017 NCAA Tournament action with Sunday's (May 14) Selection Show. The unveiling of this year's NCAA Regional participants will begin at 9 p.m. CT on ESPN2. The Tigers will be seeking their 11th consecutive birth to NCAA Regional postseason play.
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