LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Mizzou Softball split its first day at the Cardinal Classic, falling to host Louisville 5-3 in game one, while rebounding to run-rule IUPUI 11-3 in five innings to get its tenth win of the season.
Sophomore pitcher Baleigh Koester suffered her first loss of the season versus Louisville, giving up three runs in the bottom of the sixth in relief of Senior P Madi Norman. Norman was solid in her return to Ulmer Stadium, going 5.1 innings with five strikeouts. She did give up three earned runs though, the most she has given up in a game this season. Junior P Eli Daniel played arguably the best game of her career against IUPUI, registering the first complete game shutout of her career while also notching a career-best seven strikeouts.
TOP TIGERS – Game One
- Senior 1B Kolby Romaine had a nice return to the lineup after missing the New Mexico State game due to injury, going 2-4 at the plate with one double.
- Sophomore RF Abby George was solid all game long, going 1-3 at the plate with an RBI and a stolen base.
- Freshman DP Jazmyn Rollin continued her current production, going 1-3 at the plate with one run scored.
TURNING POINT
Mizzou shot out to an early 3-0 lead, courtesy of team offense and solid defense. Norman did not allow a single hit for the first three innings. However, things changed in the bottom of the fourth, as Louisville was able to cut the lead to just one run.
Norman's day came to an end in the bottom of the sixth, and the Cardinals took immediate advantage, as the very next batter smashed a two-run shot to center that would give the Cardinals the lead. For good measure, Louisville would tack on another run in the bottom of the sixth.
Mizzou would attempt to come back in the top of the seventh, even getting two on base with only one out, but the offense couldn't bring anyone in.
TOP TIGERS – Game Two
- George was phenomenal against the Jaguars, going 3-3 at the plate with two runs and an RBI.
- Rollin had another strong showing, going 3-3 at the plate including her first career home run in the second inning. Rollin added two RBI and two runs scored.
- Sophomore 2B Kendyll Bailey played well in the second game of the day, going 2-3 with a run scored.
TURNING POINT
The Tigers put their foot on the gas early, scoring four runs in the second and four in the third to extend what was a 1-0 lead out to a 9-0 lead. The defense was equally as strong, only allowing two hits.
Because of that combination, the Tigers would short-game the Jaguars, the sixth time this year they have done that to an opponent. It was also the Tigers' eighth shutout of the season thus far.
QUOTEABLES
"It can be frustrating at times, because I know the immense ceiling this team has," Coach Anderson said. "Sometimes we don't decide to give maximum effort, and it shows on the field. Like I said, this team has all the potential in the world, but we have to work harder to reach it. And we have to do that consistently. We don't' do that right now."
UP NEXT
Mizzou will finish out the Cardinal Classic with a rematch against IUPUI tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. CT and a battle against Indiana State at 1:30 p.m. CT.
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