University of Missouri
18-6, 2-0
Ole Miss
12-12, 0-2
No. 23/24 Mizzou Softball Clinches Series Against Ole Miss
3/7/2020 7:02:00 PM | Softball
Tigers claim first series win in a SEC opener since 2016
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Softball defeated Ole Miss, 6-1, on Saturday evening at Mizzou Softball Stadium en route to its first series victory in a SEC opener since 2016.
The Tigers (18-6, 2-0 SEC) took the early lead as Jazmyn Rollin scored off an RBI single from Kim Wert in the bottom of the first inning. Mizzou's momentum continued, as it increased its advantage over Ole Miss (12-12, 0-2 SEC) in the second inning off an RBI single from Rollin.
The Tigers added some insurance in the fourth, scoring two runs with a sac-fly from Hattie Moore and double from Wert.
TURNING POINT
In the top of the fifth, however, the Rebels looked to even things up. Ole Miss notched its first run of the game off a RBI single, cutting the Tiger lead to three.
With the bases loaded and just one out, Megan Schumacher entered the game, replacing starter Emma Nichols, for Mizzou. The defense then came up big, converting on a double play to halt the Rebels offense and end the inning with the lead.
The Tigers would tack on two more runs in the sixth before the game's end to secure the 6-1 victory.
TOP TIGERS
- Kim Wert tallied two RBIs on the win, batting one run in each on a single in the first inning and double in the fourth. The junior notched her fourth multi-RBI game of the season.
- Jazmyn Rollin went 2-for-3 at the plate, tallying her fifth double of the season in the first inning and a RBI single in the second.
- Emma Nichols secured her third victory of the season, allowing just three hits and one earned run on 4.1 innings pitched.
NOTES
- With the victory, the Tigers secured the season series over the Rebels, its first series victory in a SEC opener since 2016.
- Mizzou improved to 7-0 when scoring in the games' opening frame this season. The Tigers also improved to 12-2 when scoring first.
- As a team, the Tigers set a new season high, hitting four doubles in the win over the Rebels. This is the most doubles since Mizzou tallied five against Kentucky last season (3/22/19).
- Kim Wert notched her fourth multi-RBI game of the season, batting in two runs off two hits.
- With a double in the sixth inning, Cayla Kessinger improved her hitting streak to 13 games. It is her longest hitting streak since riding a 14-game wave over the 2017-18 seasons.
- Brooke Wilmes has reached base safely in 18-straight games.
- Mizzou's freshman pitching class was crucial yet again, as Emma Nichols and Megan Schumacher combined to pitch for six innings, allowing just one earned run on three hits.
UP NEXT
Mizzou finishes its three-game season series against Ole Miss on Sunday at 4 p.m. The Tigers will look to sweep the Rebels for the first time since 2014.
For the latest on Mizzou Softball, stay tuned at MUTigers.com or follow the program on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Nichols, Emma (3-2)
L: Ava Tillmann (3-3)
Batting:
RBI: Jessica Puk 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Tate Whitley 1
SB: Abbey Latham 1
CS: Raegan Cheyne 1
HBP: Autumn Gillespie 1 ; Amanda Roth 2
Batting:
2B: Wilmes, Brooke 1 ; Rollin, Jazmyn 1 ; Kessinger, Cayla 1 ; Wert, Kimberly 1
RBI: Rollin, Jazmyn 1 ; Moore, Hatti 1 ; Wert, Kimberly 2 ; Bailey, Kendyll 1
SH: Raabe, Emma 1
SF: Moore, Hatti 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Wilmes, Brooke 1 ; Rollin, Jazmyn 2 ; Kessinger, Cayla 2 ; Moll, Megan 1
SB: Rollin, Jazmyn 1
HBP: Bailey, Kendyll 1
