COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Softball (28-25, 6-16 SEC) provided visiting No. 21 Ole Miss with countless free baserunners Saturday afternoon, leading to a 12-4 run-rule loss in the middle game of this weekend's Southeastern Conference series.
In all, the Tigers committed a season high seven errors in the field, while the pitching staff issued five walks. Ole Miss produced 12 runs (seven earned) on 10 hits today inside Mizzou Softball Stadium, highlighted by a fourth inning grand slam and fifth inning three-run home run.
Similar to Friday evening's matchup, Mizzou competed well in the early going against the Rebels. The Tigers held a slim 2-1 advantage heading to the fourth inning, courtesy of an RBI single from senior Kirsten Mack (Riverside, Calif.) and a manufactured run produced single handily by freshman Cayla Kessinger (Saugus, Calif.).
In the bottom of the second, Kessinger picked up consecutive stolen bases following an infield single. On the stolen base to third, Ole Miss' catcher threw the ball away to allow Kessinger to scoot home. The Tigers' small 2-1 advantage midway through quickly evaporated however, as Ole Miss recorded four runs in the fourth, three runs in the fifth and four runs in the sixth.
Despite the team's loss Saturday afternoon, six different Tigers recorded a hit with Mack's team-leading 17th multi-hit game of the season leading the way. Kessinger and sophomore Kolby Romaine's (Chino Hills, Calif.) base hits extended their respective current hitting streaks to six games.
Similar to Friday's series opener, sophomore Regan Nash (Camden Point, Mo.) opened today's ballgame with a leadoff walk. The free pass extended her career high safely reached base streak to 17 games. Nash, Mack and redshirt freshman Jolie Duffner (Jefferson City, Mo.) all tallied RBIs on the day for Mizzou.
Up Next
The series finale between Mizzou and Ole Miss is scheduled for noon on Sunday, May 7. Fans are encouraged to arrive early as the Tigers will honor seniors Cheyenne Baxter, Natalie Fleming, Mack, Chloe Rathburn and Anna Reed. Mizzou fans unable to make it to the ballpark can tune-in on SEC Network + via WatchESPN.
Visit MUTigers.com for the latest information on all things Mizzou Softball. You can also find the Tigers on social media by liking us on Facebook (University of Missouri Softball Team) and following us on Twitter and Instagram (@MizzouSoftball).
