LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Mizzou Softball split again on day two of the Cardinal Classic, losing a nine-inning heartbreaker to IUPUI, while rallying to run-rule Indiana State 11-1. The Tigers finish their non-conference tournament schedule at 11-7, with SEC play and a battle with Alabama looming next weekend.  

The Tigers pitched by committee against IUPUI, with sophomore Cassie Gasper earning the start and going four innings, sophomore Summer Shockley going three innings, and junior Eli Daniel suffering the loss, giving up four runs in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Senior P Madi Norman got the start against Indiana State, going five innings while registering four strikeouts and only allowing one earned run.  

TOP TIGERS – Game One

• Freshman SS Jazmyn Rollin continued her solid run in Louisville, going 1-3 at the plate with three runs scored and an RBI.
• Sophomore 2B Brooke Wilmes showed her clutch ability, giving the Tigers a 7-5 lead in the top of the ninth on a double. It was her only at bat of the game.
• Senior 1B Kolby Romaine had another good game, going 2-4 while also scoring two runs and driving in an RBI.

TURNING POINT

It looked as if this game was over after six innings, as Mizzou's offense was quiet most of the day outside of a solo shot from Rollin in the top of the fifth. The score stood at 3-1 going into the seventh, and things got crazy from there.

Romaine doubled to start the scoring, advancing Rollin to third while sophomore RF Abby George crossed home plate. Sophomore 3B Kimberly Wert then homered, extending the lead out to 5-3. However, the lead wouldn't last long, as the Jaguars would blast a two run home run of their own in the bottom of the inning to tie the game at five and force extra innings.

Neither team scored in the eighth inning, but Mizzou would jump out to an 8-5 lead in the top of the ninth courtesy of a double from Wilmes and a double from sophomore C Hatti Moore. It wasn't enough, though, as IUPUI would go on to score four runs, including a walk-off single, in the bottom of the ninth.

TOP TIGERS – Game Two

• Rollin had another good outing against the Sycamores, going 2-3 at the plate with two runs scored and an RBI.
• Moore was excellent at the plate in game two, going 3-3 with two runs scored.
• Freshman OF Danie Garrison registered her first collegiate hit against Indiana State, going 1-2 at the plate with one run scored and one RBI.

TURNING POINT

The Tigers took charge early, jumping out to an 8-0 lead after two innings. Four different Tigers had multi-hit efforts, led by Moore, who registered her first three-hit performance ever.

The defense was just as good against the Sycamores, as the Tigers gave up just one run. Norman was her usual dominant self in the circle, but got some help from Wert at third, who made several great plays fielding the ball to help the Tigers secure another run-rule victory.

UP NEXT

Mizzou is set to start conference play next weekend, as the Tigers travel to Tusaloosa, Ala., for a battle with Alabama. The first game will be televised on SEC Network Plus, and is set to start at 6:30 p.m. CT on Friday, March 8.

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