Mizzou Softball: Top 10 Moments of the 2020 Season
4/13/2020 10:56:00 AM | Softball
Relive the 10 best moments of the Tiger's season
COLUMBIA, Mo. – While the 2020 Mizzou Softball season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Tigers packed the 26-game season with a plethora of memorable moments.
Follow along at MUTigers.com and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@MizzouSoftball) to relive the top 10 moments of the 2020 season.
#1- Mizzou Rallies to Upset Oklahoma State in Extra Innings (Feb. 14)
It was the game that propelled the Cardiac Tigers nickname.
Down 2-0 in the seventh inning, Mizzou found a way to upset No. 16 Oklahoma State. Gutsy baserunning from Megan Moll and Hatti Moore tied the game on a groundout by Kendyll Bailey.
Eli Daniel stuck out five of the seven batters she faced in the seventh and eighth innings to give Mizzou a chance at the plate, but again the game was won on the base paths.
Imani Myint started the top of the eighth on second base thanks to the international tiebreaker. She advanced to third on a fly ball to right field, and then scored on a wild pitch to provide the game-winning run.
It was the first time Mizzou won after trailing in the sixth inning, and was the second extra-innings victory over a ranked team on the year.
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— Mizzou Softball (@MizzouSoftball) April 24, 2020
Down 2-0? In the seventh inning? To the No. 16 team in the country?
No problem.#OwnIt ???? pic.twitter.com/IUcpc0ZOXR
#2- Mizzou Wins the Border War with a Run Rule (Feb. 13)
A run-rule is always sweeter against the Jayhawks.
Playing the Border for only the fifth time since Mizzou moved to the Southeastern Conference, the Tigers continued their winning ways against their rival to the West.
Mizzou broke the gam open with an eight-spot in the bottom of the second inning to control the game. A throwing error on a throw to the plate brought two runs in, and Cayla Kessinger took advantage with her second grand slam of the season for an 8-0 lead.
The Tigers scored eight runs despite logging only four hits on the day – the lowest hit total in a run-rule since having five against Texas A&M (April 19, 2019).
#?2? in our Top 10 Moments??
— Mizzou Softball (@MizzouSoftball) April 23, 2020
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Does this need any more of an explanation? pic.twitter.com/YoRvbUEYF1
#3- Mizzou Upsets Minnesota (Feb. 8)
The opening weekend of the 2020 season was a running ticker of highlights for Mizzou Softball – but none were bigger than the upset of No. 8/7 Minnesota.
With runners on second and third in a tie game, Eli Daniel struck out two batters to send the game to extra innings. Tied 4-4, Mizzou got more than enough run support in the eighth inning to pick up the victory.
Cayla Kessinger doubled to bat in a pair of runs, and then scored on a passed ball to give the Tigers another insurance run. In the bottom half of the inning, Daniel wouldn't allow a batter to get on base to help Mizzou grab the victory.
Hatti Moore homered twice in the game – the second time in her career she's done so. The pitching staff of Jordan Weber, Megan Schumacher and Daniel struck out a combined 13 batters – a single game team-high dating back to 2013.
The win was also the sixth non-conference win over a top 10 opponent dating back to 2011 for Mizzou.
#?3? in our Top 10 Moments!
— Mizzou Softball (@MizzouSoftball) April 22, 2020
DOWN GOES MINNESOTA ??#OwnIt ???? pic.twitter.com/rL1vKf0po6
#4- Megan Moll Pinch-Hit Home Run (Feb. 15)
Down 5-0 in the fifth inning to Virginia Tech, the usual suspects started a Mizzou rally. An unlikely freshman tied it.
The Tigers pulled within a run thanks to a three-run home run from Cayla Kessinger – but it was the next batter that stole the show.
Mizzou pinch-hit freshman Megan Moll for junior Kimberly Wert. On a 2-2 count, Moll hit a shot to center field to tie the game 5-5. It was her first career home run, and the first pinch-hit home run for Mizzou since March 5, 2017 (Taylor Kirby, vs. Butler).
The pinch-hit home run ??
— Mizzou Softball (@MizzouSoftball) April 21, 2020
#?4? in our series of Top 10 Moments, @Megan_Moll9 first career jack against Virginia Tech!#OwnIt ???? pic.twitter.com/qfVNyybCN3
#5- Mizzou Sweeps Ole Miss to Open SEC Play (March 6-8)
Playing at home for the second-straight weekend, Mizzou Softball captured the Tiger fan energy to open Southeastern Conference play with a sweep of Ole Miss.
Mizzou outscored the Rebels 18-3 on the weekend to grab its first sweep in a SEC opening series since the program joined the conference in 2012-13. It was also the first sweep over a conference opponent since defeating Texas A&M at home last season.
On Friday night, Mizzou opened the series with a run-rule, 9-1. Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the fifth, Cayla Kessinger cleared the bases with a three-RBI triple down the right field line. Kimberly Wert and Megan Moll followed with RBI singles to make it a 6-1 advantage. Jazmyn Rollin ended the game in the sixth inning with a two-run homer to close the night 3-for-3 at the plate.
In game two, Mizzou hit four doubles and got solid pitching from Emma Nichols and Megan Schumacher to clinch the series with a 6-1 win.
With a chance to finish the weekend with a sweep, the Tigers allowed a home run in the first inning to fall behind early. The Tigers responded with two runs in the fourth inning, and added an insurance run in the fifth. Kessinger tripled for the second time that weekend – the first Mizzou player to accomplish the feat in a SEC series – to bat in Rollin, with Wert sending Kessinger across the plate two batters later.
Eli Daniel struck out two batters – including getting the final batter looking – to pick up her fifth save in the seventh inning.
Let's run this thing back ?
— Mizzou Softball (@MizzouSoftball) April 20, 2020
#?5? on our Top 10 Moments of 2020: #Mizzou sweeps Ole Miss to open SEC play!#OwnIt ???? pic.twitter.com/kQbPS9Hpbg
#6- Cayla Kessinger's Comeback Grand Slam Over Baylor (Feb. 8)
There was a chance she would never play again.
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome moved Cayla Kessinger to designated player in 2018. It claimed her entire 2019 season. Within two days of the 2020 season – she was back.
Facing Baylor – a team which finished the season ranked -- in the opening weekend of the season, Mizzou Softball got the jump start its young season needed.
In the fourth inning, Kessinger cleared the bases with a grand slam to give the Tigers an 8-1 lead. It was Kessinger's first home run since May 4, 2018. It was also the first grand slam for Mizzou since Feb. 8, 2019.
#?6? in our Top 10 Moments ??@caylakessinger hits a grand slam against Baylor for her first home run after battling thoracic outlet syndrome ??#OwnIt ???? pic.twitter.com/HA6MHeNSJf
— Mizzou Softball (@MizzouSoftball) April 17, 2020
#7- An Eli Daniel Relief Appearance
It's something that everyone in the stands can feel. In a two-run game in the final innings, few things energize the crowd quite like Eli Daniel coming into the circle to close the game out.
Despite pitching more than 2.0 innings only twice in 16 appearances on the year, Daniel led Mizzou in both wins (6) and saves (5). She was one of two pitchers in the country to have at least six wins and five saves in 2020.
The Locoust Grove, Ga., native posted six perfect outings, and grabbed late-game wins against Minnesota (Feb. 8), Oklahoma State (Feb. 14), Virginia Tech (Feb. 15), Oregon State (Feb. 21), California (Feb. 22), and Wichita State (March 1).
Big Red is a different person in the circle.
— Mizzou Softball (@MizzouSoftball) April 16, 2020
A @ratedEforevery1 relief appearance checks in at #?7? in our Top 10 Moments of the Year ??#OwnIt ???? pic.twitter.com/NyDHnUc2fG
#8- Kendyll Bailey and Jazmyn Rollin Homer Against James Madison (Feb. 15)
Mizzou Softball was no stranger to the pressure cooker in 2020. During the afternoon of Feb. 15, the Tigers rallied from down 5-0 to defeat Virginia Tech, 6-5.
Later that night, Mizzou found itself down late once again. While they ended up losing the game, a pair of infielders gave the Tigers a chance.
Trailing No. 20 James Madison 5-3 entering the top of the seventh, Hatti Moore led off for Mizzou by drawing a four-pitch walk. Kendyll Bailey brought her around the bases with a two-run bomb to tie the game at 5-5.
Eli Daniel held the Dukes scoreless in the bottom of the seventh, and Jazmyn Rollin provided the go-ahead run on a bomb off the first pitch she saw in extra innings to give Mizzou a 7-5 lead.
Big time home runs in a big time moment ????@kendyll_leighhh and @JazzyRollin gave #Mizzou a chance late against James Madison in #?8? on our Top 10 Moments list.#OwnIt ???? pic.twitter.com/14jGKKtLru
— Mizzou Softball (@MizzouSoftball) April 15, 2020
#9- Wichita State Walk-Off (March 1)
Needing a win to finish the Mizzou Tournament with a winning record, the Tigers entered the bottom of the seventh tied 3-3 with Wichita State. Eli Daniel retired the Shocker order in the top of the inning to set up the 2-3-4 hitters in the bottom half of the inning.
Mizzou would only need two batters – the combo of Cayla Kessinger and Jazmyn Rollin.
Rollin worked a five-pitch walk, and then had the green light to steal second to set Mizzou up with a runner in scoring position. Rollin used her speed to score the winning run on a single to left field from Kessinger, giving Mizzou it's 10th late-inning victory on the year.
.@JazzyRollin ? @caylakessinger ??
— Mizzou Softball (@MizzouSoftball) April 14, 2020
WALK-OFF
#?9? in our Top 10 Moments is the Wichita State Walk-Off!#OwnIt ???? pic.twitter.com/0G9zrnCLcI
#10- Jordan Weber's 1-Hitter Against New Mexico (Feb. 22)
Mizzou's opening day starter, Weber was one of the many young aces for the Tigers. Off to a 1-2 start at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic, Weber earned the starting nod against New Mexico hoping to reignite Mizzou after a six-inning loss to UC Davis the day prior.
Against the Lobos, Weber put together arguably her most dominant outing of the season. The freshman held New Mexico to one-hit – the fewest by an opponent on the year. The Lee's Summit, Mo., native struck out a career high nine batters, while not allowing a single runner past second base all game.
The seven inning shutout was one of two shutouts by Mizzou on the season as the Tigers got back in the win column, 5-0 against the Lobos.
TOP 10 MOMENTS OF 2020 #???@jordan_weberr was lights out against New Mexico in California??#OwnIt ???? pic.twitter.com/myJNAdSPpb
— Mizzou Softball (@MizzouSoftball) April 13, 2020
