@MizzouSoftball Drops Both Games of Saturday Doubleheader

Saturday, February 17

Clearwater, Fla.

9 am

University of Missouri

4-4

(#15) Oklahoma State

6-2

Missouri

Oklahoma State

@MizzouSoftball Drops Both Games of Saturday Doubleheader

2/17/2018 5:56:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Tigers look to rebound Sunday in Michele Smith Invitational finale

CLEARWATER, Fla. – Mizzou Softball (4-5) fell in each game of its Saturday doubleheader at the Michele Smith Invitational, dropping below .500 overall on the young season.

The Tigers battled No. 15 Oklahoma State down to the wire for the second time this season in game one, but ultimately fell 3-2. In game two at Eddie C. Moore Complex, Marshall took advantage of three Tiger errors en route to an 8-2 victory over Mizzou.

#ShowMe Top Performers vs. No. 15 Oklahoma State

Amanda Sanchez: 2-for-3, 2 2B, BB
Rylee Pierce: 2-for-3, 2B, SB

#ShowMe Top Performers vs. Marshall

Nalani Scates: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Braxton Burnside: 2-for-3, BB
Hatti Moore: 2-for-2, RBI, BB

Coach Fogue's Corner

On today's tough doubleheader…

"We will continue to learn and grow from days like today. With a young team like this, we'll experience some growing pains. We showed we have the ability to compete with top-level talent like Oklahoma State in game one, but then struggled in our finale against Marshall. Better consistency will be key for this team going forward. We still have the opportunity to come out tomorrow and end our tournament on a high note."

#MIZ Takeaways

With a hit in each game Saturday, Cayla Kessinger extended her safely reached base streak to 19 consecutive games. She's on the verge of tallying only the 21st all-time 20-plus safely reached base streak in Mizzou history.
Entering Sunday's action, an impressive seven Tigers will carry a multi-game hitting streak into play. Burnside leads the way with five consecutive games, while Pierce and Sanchez check-in with four-straight at the plate.
Game one against Oklahoma State largely came down to a Tiger misread in the third inning. The Cowgirls extended their early advantage to 3-0 after a two RBI double nicked off the Mizzou right fielder's glove. The play deemed large as the Tigers' two runs in the sixth inning could've potentially given the visitors the lead.
Oklahoma State clung to a one-run lead in the seventh and final frame. The Tigers put the potential tying run at second base, but the Cowgirls induced a game-ending fly out.
Game two against the Thundering Herd was largely decided on poor defense and a lack of timely hitting by the Tigers. Only three of Marshall's eight runs scored were earned, as three Mizzou errors led to five unearned runs cross the plate.
Mizzou's lineup routinely threatened on offense, but failed to deliver a timely hit and get back into the game. The Tigers ultimately stranded 10 baserunners and only pushed across two runs courtesy of bases loaded walks from the Marshall pitching staff.
The Tigers stranded two-plus runners in three of seven innings versus the Thundering Herd. On multiple occasions Mizzou was on the wrong end of mental errors, leading to the downfall in multiple frames.

Up Next

The Tigers close their weekend trip in Clearwater on Sunday with one final doubleheader. Mizzou meets Florida Atlantic and South Florida in back to back games with first pitch scheduled for 10:15 a.m. CT and 12:30 p.m. CT, respectively.

Coach Fogue and the Tigers' final non-conference tournament is scheduled for next week (Feb. 22-25) at the Mary Nutter Classic. Mizzou will play six games over four days, including a pair of Top-25 matchups against No. 11 Arizona and No. 4 UCLA.

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).