No. 16/18 Mizzou Softball Takes SEC Opener

Friday, March 19

Athens, Ga.

5 p.m. CT

University of Missouri

20-4, 1-0

Georgia

19-3, 0-1

Missouri

Georgia

3/19/2021 10:40:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

ATHENS, Ga. – No. 16/18 Mizzou Softball (20-4) was victorious over No. 19/20 Georgia (19-3) in each team's SEC opener by a score of 6-1. The Tigers took the lead in the top of the third and never looked back.

Jordan Weber (7-1) earned the victory after going five innings and allowing only one earned run. Mizzou gave Mary Wilson Avant her first loss of the 2021 season.

After two scoreless innings, Mizzou got on the board in the top of the third inning. Kendyll Bailey hit a line drive at the second baseman that was misplayed, allowing her to reach. Abby George then slapped a single to the left side of the infield that was thrown away by the shortstop, moving the runners up a base each. Brooke Wilmes brought home the first run of the game on a groundout to second.

Hatti Moore came to the plate with a runner at third base and two outs. She delivered a lined shot over the left-center field wall for her eighth home run of the season, making the score 3-0 for the Tigers.

Georgia was able to get a run across in the bottom half of the inning on a solo home run, cutting their deficit to 3-1.

TURNING POINT

The Tigers and the Bulldogs traded a pair of scoreless innings in the fourth and fifth. In the top of the sixth, Mizzou broke the game open. The Tigers added three more runs, none of which were earned.

Quickly getting two runners on base with a walk and a fielder's choice that was misplayed, Mizzou brought home the first run of the inning on a Jenna Laird single that was kicked by the left fielder, allowing a run to come around for the Tigers. On the next pitch, Kendyll Bailey ran a squeeze play to perfection. The runner on third base was able to score and the toss from the pitcher went to the backstop, allowing Laird to score from second. After the hectic sequence, Mizzou led the game by a score of 6-1.

Emma Nichols entered the game in the bottom half of the inning with a runner on second base. She allowed an infield single and walked a batter, but she struck out three in the inning to get out of a bases-loaded jam. Nichols sent the Bulldogs down in order to close out the game in the seventh.

TOP TIGERS

Jordan Weber was in control of the game for the duration of the first five innings. She only allowed one earned run while striking out three.

Emma Nichols went two innings while striking out four batters. She slammed the door shut in the bottom of the sixth with Georgia threatening.

Abby George went 2-for-3 at the plate with a pair of singles and a run scored.

Hatti Moore blasted a two-run home run in the third inning to extend the Mizzou lead.

NOTES

Mizzou surpassed their 2020 win total in two-fewer games.

Hatti Moore tied Kimberly Wert for the team lead with eight home runs apiece. Moore is one homer shy of joining the Mizzou Top-10 all-time list.

Abby George recorded her fourth multi-hit game of the season. She had five multi-hit games in her first three seasons at Mizzou.

Brooke Wilmes has now hit safely in 20 of Mizzou's 24 games. When Wilmes gets a hit, Mizzou is 19-1, when she is hitless, the Tigers are 1-3.

UP NEXT

Mizzou will take on Georgia on SEC Network on Saturday at 4:30 pm CT.

Visit MUTigers.com for the latest information on all things Mizzou Softball. Tiger fans can also follow the program on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@MizzouSoftball).