OXFORD, Miss. – Mizzou Softball (23-18, 6-8) dropped two heartbreakers at the Ole Miss Softball Complex on Friday afternoon, losing in walk-off fashion in game one, 7-5, while being shutout in game two, 1-0, by the Rebels (30-10, 9-4). The Tigers and Rebels were equally matched all day, but the Rebels made just a few more plays.
Junior P Eli Daniel was phenomenal in relief in game one, going 3.2 IP while only allowing one earned run. Unfortunately, that earned run was the walk off winner in the bottom of the eighth that won game one. Daniel's pitching keyed Mizzou's comeback, though, as she registered four strikeouts before that while delivering three shutout innings.
Sophomore P Cassie Gasper was phenomenal in game two, going complete while only allowing one run on just three hits. Gasper also had four Ks, just one off her career-high.
TOP TIGERS – GAME ONE
- Senior LF Regan Nash was great all game in game one, going 3-4, while also adding her 12th stolen base this season.
- Sophomore DP Kara Decker continues her good hitting, as she went 2-3 in the game, tying the game up with a clutch blooper to shallow left in the sixth inning.
- Redshirt freshman Kendyll Bailey mashed her third-career homer in game one, keying the Tiger comeback with a solo shot in the top of the sixth.
TURNING POINT – GAME ONE
It looked as if game one was over, as the Rebels held a 5-1 lead going into the top of the sixth. However, Mizzou's bats finally woke up to start the inning, and the comeback bid was on after that.
Bailey got it all started, crushing a solo shot to center field to make it 2-5. Sophomore CF Brooke Wilmes would get on base, as would Nash and Rollin, and Wilmes would come home on a passed ball. Decker's floater to left would score Nash and Rollin, and just like that, the game would be tied at five.
It looked as if the Tigers would finish the comeback in the top of the eighth, as the bases were loaded with only one out, but both Bailey and sophomore RF Callie Martin would ground into fielder's choices. With two outs and two strikes in the bottom of the inning, Ole Miss would nab the win, hitting a walk-off two run shot.
TOP TIGERS – GAME TWO
- Only three Tigers would nab a hit in game two: Wilmes, sophomore C Hatti Moore and Martin.
- Gasper has now gone complete in five games. She is now 3-2 in such games.
TURNING POINT – GAME TWO
Game two was pretty steady wire-to-wire, as only one run was scored between the two teams.
The winning run from the Rebels came in the bottom of the second, as a hard hit ball skipped down the left field line to bring in one. The Tigers had a lot of opportunities, including hits from Wilmes, freshman SS Jazmyn Rollin and Martin that were robbed on great catches from Ole Miss, but just couldn't find any offensive rhythm.
QUOTEABLES
"Tough way to finish game one," Coach Anderson said. "But I thought we showed tremendous grit to get back into it. That feeling of games getting away from us is now gone I think. We believe that we are never out of it, and that showed today. Game two, what a performance from Cassie. She just seems to shine when the lights are brightest. Thought the defense was excellent behind her as well. Needed some offense, but credit the Ole Miss defense. They made some phenomenal plays. Excited that we get another chance at them on Sunday. Should be a good test for us."
UP NEXT
The Tigers and Rebels will play again on Sunday, as Mizzou looks to avoid the road sweep. Game time is still undecided due to bad weather set to come through. The game will be streamable on SEC N+. Â
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