LOS ANGELES - Mizzou Softball (34-24) split its two games Saturday at Easton Stadium, dropping game one to host No. 2 UCLA, 9-1, while staving off elimination with a big 7-0 win over Weber State in the night cap. Mizzou's bats were quiet against the Bruins, as the Tigers only notched two hits, but they woke up against the Wildcats, as the Tigers scored seven runs on nine hits in game two to save their season.
Redshirt senior P Madi Norman got the start and suffered the loss in game one, going five innings while giving up only two earned runs to the potent Bruin attack. Sophomore P Cassie Gasper was solid against Weber State in her DI postseason debut, blanking the 'Cats during her four innings pitched, allowing just three hits. Junior P Eli Daniel was spectacular once again in relief, going three innings with six strikeouts. Daniel and Gasper combined for Mizzou's first postseason shutout since 2016.
TOP TIGERS – Game One
- Senior LF Regan Nash continues to play well in her last regional, as she drove in Mizzou's only run against UCLA.
- Senior 1B Kolby Romaine had Mizzou's only other hit against the Bruins. She also had six putouts.
TURNING POINT – Game One
Mizzou had a tough first inning, as Norman gave up two homers and three runs. It looked as if she had settled in, staying clean in the second and third, as the Tigers continued to hang around. In the fourth, though, the Bruins took advantage of a couple of Mizzou errors to put the game out of reach.
UCLA was able to score two on an E4, as the ball snuck by sophomore 2B Kendyll Bailey out to right field. The error left two on, and following a single, Bubba Nickles took advantage of the loaded bases, hitting her second homer of the day to make what was a three-run lead at the start of the frame a nine-run lead.
TOP TIGERS – Game Two
- Sophomore CF Brooke Wilmes bounced back against Weber State, going 3-4 at the plate, while also scoring twice. It was her 15th multi-hit game this season, the most on the team.
- Freshman SS Jazmyn Rollin also broke out in the night cap, going 2-4 at the dish while plating three Mizzou runners. It was Rollin's fourth performance this season with 3+ RBI.
- Sophomore 3B Kimberly Wert smashed a solo shot in the top of the seventh, giving her 19 on the year. She is just one homer away from matching Mizzou's all-time single-season record.
TURNING POINT – Game Two
Though Weber State contained Mizzou's offense through two innings, the Tigers were able to break through in the third, hanging four runs on the Wildcats.
Mizzou was able to load the bases, courtesy of a double from Bailey, a walk drawn by sophomore RF Callie Martin and a single from Wilmes. Bailey would get thrown out at home on the fielder's choice from Nash, but both Rollin and Moore would plate two runners each in the next two at bats. The four runs scored in the inning would be enough to nab the win and propel them to the Regional Championship Game.
QUOTEABLES
"We came back and were resilient in game two," Coach Anderson said. "I thought Cassie pitched well later on after a slow start, and Eli has really excelled in that closer role. Can't wait to go at UCLA again tomorrow. Games like that, on championship Sunday, is why I coach and why these girls practice all year. We will be ready."
UP NEXT
Mizzou will square off against No. 2 UCLA for the third time this season in a win-or-go-home contest. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. CT, and the game will be aired on the ESPNU. Â Â
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