Nash’s Walk-Off Gives @MizzouSoftball Series Finale Win Over No. 13 LSU

Saturday, March 31

Columbia, Mo.

2 pm

University of Missouri

20-19, 0

(#13) LSU

29-6, 0

LSU

Mizzou

Nash’s Walk-Off Gives @MizzouSoftball Series Finale Win Over No. 13 LSU

3/31/2018 5:43:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

Mizzou explodes for four runs in its last at bat to salvage victory in three-game series

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Softball (20-19, 3-9 SEC) supplied the black and gold faithful with late inning heroics Saturday afternoon, as junior Regan Nash's walk-off hit with two outs in the seventh secured a 5-4 series finale victory over No. 13 LSU.

LSU's Carley Hoover cruised through the first six innings of play at Mizzou Softball Stadium, limiting the host Tigers to only one run on two hits. Momentum changed for Mizzou in its final at bat however, as Hoover hit a batter and walked three-straight to set up the eventual walk-off single.

#ShowMe Top Performers

Cayla Kessinger: 1-for-4, HR, RBI
Paige Bange: BB, RBI
Lauren Rice: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R
Nash: 1-for-3, 2 RBI

Hear From Coach Fogue

On Saturday's seventh inning heroics…

"What a great win today against a really good pitcher and opponent in Carley Hoover and LSU. We didn't have the best start and our backs were certainly against the wall entering the bottom of the seventh. Our girls had really good at bats and worked the count at the end there. People stepped up over and over, including Paige (Bange) coming off the bench and working a bases loaded walk to keep the rally going. Then Regan (Nash) was down to her last strike and put the bat on the ball and made things happen. This group never quits and we have to keep fighting as we move along the rest of the season."

#MIZ Takeaways

Saturday's heroics marked Mizzou's first walk-off win this year since March 4 against Creighton. That game was decided in the sixth inning, as the Tigers secured an 8-0 run-rule victory on a two RBI single by Rylee Pierce.
Mizzou's last "true" walk-off triumph was March 3 against Southeastern Louisiana, as Kolby Romaine launched a two-run home run with the score tied at four apiece in the eighth inning.
Mizzou tallied its second top 25 ranked win of the season Saturday, joining its first accomplishment on March 17 against No. 20 Mississippi State.
The host Tigers broke numerous negative trends this season following their walk-off win, as they entered play today with a 2-17 record when trailing after four innings and a 1-15 record when trailing after six innings of play.
Amanda Sanchez's historic safely reached base streak came to a conclusion today, following a 0-for-3 performance at the plate. The Tiger redshirt junior's 32-straight games of safely reaching base ranks tied for second all-time in Mizzou Softball history.
Kessinger had another strong SEC series at the top of the lineup for Mizzou, hitting .333 with two runs scored, two home runs and two RBI against LSU.
Through 12 conference games this year, Kessinger has started in nine contests and has posted a .387 average (12-for-31) with six runs scored, two doubles, two home runs and three RBI. She's also supporting a strong .457 OBP, .645 SLG% and 1.102 OPS.

Up Next

Mizzou continues SEC action next weekend on the road at No. 6 Georgia. The Tigers and Bulldogs will compete in three games over three days in Athens with the series opener scheduled for 5 p.m. CT on Friday evening.

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).