ORLANDO, Fla. – Mizzou Softball closed strong at the Citrus Blossom Classic, run-ruling rival Kansas in five innings, 12-0, on Sunday, February 17, at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Sophomore P Cassie Gasper got the nod against the Jayhawks, going four frames without surrendering a run. Sophomore P Baleigh Koester finished the game off in the fifth inning, keeping the shutout in tact while recording a strikeout.

The Tiger offense was a well-oiled machine against the Jayhawks, as six different Tigers registered a hit in the game. Sophomore 3B Kimberly Wert led the way once again for the Black & Gold, going 3-4 at the plate, including a massive three-run shot in the fourth inning to push the score out to 11-0.

TOP TIGERS

• Sophomore C Hatti Moore had her best game of the young season, going 2-3 at the plate, including her first home run of the season, which opened the scoring in the top of the second inning.
• Freshman DH/SS Jazmyn Rollin broke out for the Tigers against the Jayhawks, going 2-2 at the plate with an RBI and a walk. She also went 2-2 on the base paths, recording the first two stolen bases of her career.
• Sophomore CF Callie Martin finished her weekend strong, going 1-2 at the plate with two RBI. Martin had at least one hit in four of the Tigers' five games in Orladno.

TURNING POINT

The Tigers struck first, scoring on the Moore homerun in the top of the second inning. The bats went quiet until the fourth, when Mizzou separated itself with its best stretch of offensive softball this season.

The 9-0 inning started with a Martin single that scored two, pushing the lead out to a comfortable 4-0. Just two batters later, sophomore SS Brooke Wilmes advanced to first on an error while Moore came home for the score. Sophomore pinch hitter Kara Decker took the next turn, hitting a single to score Martin. Junior OF Gabby Garrison wouldn't even have to wait for another hit to score her lone run of the day, coming home on a wild pitch. The backbreaker for Kansas came when Wert stretched the lead out to 11-0, hammering a three run shot to left field.

QUOTEABLES

"Can't say enough how good our pitching has been," Coach Anderson said. "Cassie and Baleigh were great for us today, and your defense feeds off of that. As far as our offense, they just executed. They didn't chase, and they played their game, only swinging at pitches they liked. A total team effort led to a total team win today."

UP NEXT

Mizzou is off to Cathedral City, Calif., where they will take part in the highly anticipated Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic. The Tigers will face off against BYU first, with first pitch set for Thursday, February 21 at 3 p.m. CT.

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