TEMPE, Ariz. – Mizzou Softball bounced back in a big way on Sunday morning, scoring a dramatic 3-2 victory over arch rival Kansas at the Tempe Sports Complex. With the victory, the Tigers move a game above .500, moving to 3-2 on the young season.

Redshirt senior P Madi Norman was excellent again for the Tigers, registering her second win of the young season (2-1). The Tipton, Mo., native put in six innings of work and nabbed five strikeouts. Sophomore P Cassie Gasper was credited with the save, getting the final out on a clutch strikeout in the bottom third of the seventh inning.   

TOP TIGERS

• Sophomore SS Brooke Wilmes made the biggest offensive play of the young season, hitting a single that would bring pinch hitter Jazmyn Rollin home to score what turned out to be the winning run.
• Wilmes had 2 RBI on the day, her first multi-RBI performance of the season.
• Rollin also had a clutch hit in the top of the seventh, putting herself in position to be the winning run.
• Norman had another great showing for the Tigers, striking out five, the second highest total of her season so far.
• Gasper's save was the first of her career.

TURNING POINT

The Tigers held a one run lead going into the bottom of the sixth inning, as the bats had gone cold for both offenses after the first two innings. After giving up two hits and a walk, which would load the bases, Norman fought back, forcing two clutch ground-outs to get out of the jam.

In the top of the seventh, the Tigers capitalized, as Rollin would reach second on a fielder's choice. With one on and two outs, Wilmes stepped to the plate and ripped a line drive out to center field that would bring in Rollin to seal the game. Though the Tigers would give one back in the bottom of the inning, Rollin's run turned out to be just enough.

QUOTEABLES

"I was very proud of our fight today," Coach Anderson said. "It was really fun to bring back such a storied rivalry. It was even more fun to win it. This weekend provided us with some great, competitive games, which helps us see what we need to improve on going forward."

UP NEXT

Mizzou will head out to Orlando, Fla. to participate in the Citrus Blossom Classic next weekend (Feb. 15-17). The Tigers will open play in the Sunshine State with a doubleheader against Troy and Villanova on Friday.

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