ST. CHARLES, Mo. – Mizzou Softball (23-16, 6-6) picked up two more big non-conference wins on Tuesday, as the Tigers topped border rival Illinois (24-13, 4-5) in both games of a doubleheader at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo. Both games were defensive slugfests, as the Black & Gold took game one, 2-0, while getting a run in the seventh inning to beat the Illini 3-2 in game two.
Redshirt senior P Madi Norman was sensational for the Tigers once again, as she earned her fourth complete game shutout this season in the first game, going the full seven with four strikeouts. Norman has now thrown 12 straight innings without allowing a run.
Sophomore P Cassie Gasper got her ninth win of the season, going six innings while notching one strikeout. Junior P Eli Daniel earned her fourth save this season, keeping the Mizzou lead intact when she entered the game in the bottom of the seventh.
TOP TIGERS – GAME ONE
- Sophomore RF Abby George had an outstanding game, going 3-3 at the plate with a run scored. Her three hits matched her career high.
- Sophomore C Hatti Moore continues to hit the ball extremely well, as she went 2-3 with two RBI. Those two RBI were the only two for the Black & Gold in game one.
- Sophomore SS Brooke Wilmes registered yet another multi-hit game, while also playing great defense in her move back to the infield.
TURNING POINT – GAME ONE
Game one was light on scoring, but the Tigers were able to grab the win by playing good team offense, which culminated in one run in the third and one in the fifth.
Both runs came off the bat of Moore, as she singled out to left field in the third to score George, and then doubled in the fifth to score senior OF Regan Nash. Illinois would have several chances with runners in scoring position, but Norman and Co. shut it down every time before any damage could be done.
TOP TIGERS – GAME TWO
- Nash was great in game two, registering her third three-hit game of the season. She ended up going 3-4.
- Redshirt freshman 2B Kendyll Bailey was clutch, hitting a big-time double to get things rolling in the seventh inning.
- Bailey would end up scoring the winning run.
- Though she wasn't credited with any hits, Wilmes' two RBI led the team in game two. A sac-fly to left brought in the winning run in the top of the seventh.
TURNING POINT – GAME TWO
With the game tied up at two runs apiece, Bailey changed everything with her clutch double to deep center field.
George would reach first on an error from the Illinois shortstop, and Bailey would advance to third. Bailey would tag up and score during the next at bat, as Wilmes would fly out to deep left.
Daniel came in to earn the save in the bottom of the seventh. Daniel did give up a double, but forced two pop-outs after that to secure the win.
UP NEXT
The Tigers will resume SEC play, traveling to Oxford, Miss., this weekend for a showdown with No. 17 Ole Miss. All games of the Friday-Saturday-Sunday series will be streamable on SEC N+.
Visit MUTigers.com for the latest information on all things Mizzou Softball. You can also find the Tigers on social media by liking us on Facebook (University of Missouri Softball Team) and following us on Twitter and Instagram (@MizzouSoftball).
