No. 23/24 Mizzou Softball Takes Down No. 12 Florida State and Memphis

2/13/2021 10:22:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - No. 23/24 Mizzou responded to a tough opening day loss by handing No. 12 Florida State their first loss of the season on Saturday. In game two of the doubleheader, Mizzou jumped all over Memphis for a run-rule victory in five innings.

Game 1 Recap

In the first game of the day, the Tigers were looking to avenge Friday's loss to Florida State, and they got off to a hot start. Brooke Wilmes led off the game with a screaming single and Cayla Kessinger drove her in with an RBI double to left-center field. A pivotal moment in the game occurred in the second inning, as Alex Honnold stepped up to the plate with two outs. Honnold was able to leg out an infield single and Jenna Laird followed that up with a single to left, as the freshmen started a two-out rally. Wilmes then came to the plate and drove a two-run double to right-center field, giving Mizzou an early three-run lead.

TURNING POINT

After gaining a 6-0 lead at the end of the third inning on a Casidy Chaumont RBI single and a Laird two-RBI single, Florida State responded offensively. The Seminoles put up a five-run inning, featuring two doubles and two home runs, tightening the score.

With a 6-5 lead in the top of the fourth inning, Mizzou was able to gain one run back from Florida State's big inning on a Kimberly Wert RBI single. In the fifth inning, Laird came through again for the Tigers, smacking a two-out double to left-center field and advancing to third on an errant throw. Wilmes followed that up by ripping a first-pitch single up the middle, giving the Tigers a three-run cushion. However, Mizzou was not done, as Kessinger ripped a double down the right field line to give the Tigers a 9-5 lead that would end up being the final score.

TOP TIGERS

Brooke Wilmes had a career day, going 5-for-5 at the plate. The senior smacked a double and drove in three while also scoring three runs herself.

Jenna Laird was a tough out for the Florida State pitchers. The freshman went 3-for-4 while adding a double and driving in two runs. She also scored twice.

Cayla Kessinger responded to a tough showing on Friday with an impact performance. Kessinger went 3-for-5 at the plate with two doubles and two RBI.

Jordan Weber entered the game in the fourth inning in relief of Laurin Krings. Weber shut down the Seminole batters, going 2.2 innings, striking out three batters and only allowing one hit. Weber was awarded the win, moving her to 2-0 on the season.

NOTES

Mizzou recorded 17 hits in the game, the most by a Mizzou team since 2017 against SEMO (April 18). This total is tied for seventh in school history and it is the most that the Tigers have had against a ranked opponent.

Brooke Wilmes had a career-high five hits in the ballgame. Wilmes joins Rhea Taylor as the only Tigers to have five hits in a game.

Larissa Anderson is now 17-3 as the Head Coach of the Mizzou Tigers in games that are played in the state of Florida.

Game 2 Recap

In the second game of the day, Mizzou took on the Memphis Tigers once again. Mizzou picked up right where they left off, as Kim Wert drove in Brooke Wilmes to get on the board in the first inning. Mizzou added another run in the second inning on a Jenna Laird double, scoring Alex Honnold.

TURNING POINT

Mizzou pulled off a marathon inning in the third with 17 batters coming to the plate. The Tigers added nine runs on six hits and two errors, while also drawing four walks. Mizzou led 11-0 at the conclusion of the inning.

The spark of the inning was freshman Alex Honnold's bases-clearing double. The double produced the first RBI of her career. After a Laird walk, Wilmes provided a bunt single that would turn in to a little-league home run, after two overthrows by the Memphis defense.

TOP TIGERS

Brooke Wilmes turned in another impressive performance for the Tigers, going 2-for-2 with a double, two runs, a stolen base and she was hit by a pitch. No pitcher was able to get Wilmes out on the day.

Alex Honnold earned her third-straight start and delivered. The freshman was 1-2 with two doubles, three runs batted in, two runs scored and a walk.

Casidy Chaumont went 2-for-3 with two runs batted in.

Kim Wert went 2-for-3 in the game with a double and an RBI.

NOTES

After scoring eight of 10 runs via the home run on Friday, Mizzou did not hit one on Saturday despite having a combined 30 hits and 21 runs in the two ballgames.

Brooke Wilmes had a sensational day, going a combined 7-for-7 with a double, five runs, three runs driven in, a stolen base and she was hit by a pitch.