Mizzou Softball Splits One Run Games in Clearwater

Saturday, February 15

Clearwater, Fla.

Noon CT

University of Missouri

9-0

Virginia Tech (RV)

5-3

Virginia Tech

Missouri

2/15/2020 9:05:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 James Madison Box Score Virginia Tech Box Score

Tigers rally to defeat Virginia Tech, fall in extra innings to No. 20 James Madison

CLEARWATER, Fla. – Mizzou Softball split Saturday's action at the St. Pete/Clearwater Elite Invitational. The Tigers (9-1) rallied from down 5-0 in the fifth inning to beat Virginia Tech, 6-5, before losing in extra innings to No. 20 James Madison, 8-7.

VIRGINIA TECH RECAP

Turning Point

For the second time in as many games, Mizzou had to overcome a multiple run deficit. Trailing 5-0 in the fifth inning, the Tigers got back to back home runs to tie the game at 5-5. Cayla Kessinger hit a three-run shot to pull within a run, while Megan Moll went yard for the first time in her career.

With the game tied, Eli Daniel came in to pitch two scoreless innings. The senior allowed two hits against the eight batters she faced.

Hannah McGivern scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the sixth on a single from Brooke Wilmes. The ball went up the right side, giving McGivern plenty of time to cross the plate from second.

Top Tigers

Eli Daniel earned her third win of the season, pitching 2.0 scoreless innings in relief.
Brooke Wilmes went 4-for-4 at the plate – batting in a run and scoring once.
Cayla Kessinger batted in three runs on a fifth inning home run.
Megan Moll hit her first career home run in a pinch-hit at-bat.
Kara Decker and Imani Myint both added doubles in the game.

JAMES MADISON RECAP

Turning Point

Mizzou was able to send the game to extra innings on a two-run home run from Kendyll Bailey in the top of the seventh. Eli Daniel came on to pitch in the bottom half of the inning, stranding one James Madison runner on base.

In the international tiebreaker, Jazmyn Rollin sent the first pitch she saw past the left field fence to give Mizzou the two-run lead. The Tigers weren't able to add any more runs in the inning, and lost in the bottom of the eighth on a sacrifice fly from Logan Newton.

Top Tigers

Jazmyn Rollin was 2-for-5 with a pair of runs and a pair of RBI.
Hatti Moore batted in three runs on a home run in the top of the third.
Jordan Weber was solid in 1.2 innings of relief – striking out three batters, including escaping a bases-loaded jam.

Notes

Megan Moll's home run against Virginia Tech is the first pinch-hit home run by a Mizzou player since Taylor Kirby accomplished the feat against Butler (March 5, 2017).
The Tigers had back-to-back home runs in a game for the second time this season. Cayla Kessinger and Moll had back-to-back home runs in the fifth inning. Kendyll Bailey and Emma Raabe accomplished the feat least week against Baylor (Feb. 8).
With the Virginia Tech win, Mizzou has won three-consecutive one-run games.
This is the first 9-1 start for Mizzou since the 2013 squad.

Up Next

Mizzou will close out the St. Pete/Clearwater Elite Invitational tomorrow morning against No. 13/14 Minnesota. The second game between the two programs will begin at 8:30 a.m. CT.

For the latest on Mizzou Softball, stay tuned at MUTigers.com or follow the program on Twitter and Instagram (@MizzouSoftball) and Facebook (University of Missouri Softball Team).