University of Missouri
20-6, 1-2
Georgia
21-3, 2-1
No. 16/18 Mizzou Softball Falls in Rubber Match at Georgia
3/21/2021 4:15:00 PM | Softball
ATHENS, Ga. – No. 16/18 Mizzou Softball fell to No. 19/20 Georgia 8-7 on Sunday Afternoon. The Tigers tied the game in the top of the seventh, but an error allowed a run to score for Georgia to end it. A Georgia six-run third inning turned out to be the difference in the game.
The Tigers got on the board early. In the top of the first inning, Brooke Wilmes ripped a double into the right-center gap and Kimberly Wert drove her 10th home run of the season over the center field wall.
Mizzou led 2-0 after the first inning. The Tigers were unable to get anything going in the second or the third.
In the bottom of the third, the Georgia bats came alive for six runs. A leadoff solo home run followed by a walk, and a two-run homer gave the Bulldogs a sudden 3-2 lead. With two outs and a runner on second base a 3-2 pitch was bounced up the middle and squeaked into the outfield to bring home another run. The next batter drove a two-run home run over the center field wall, giving Georgia a 6-2 lead.
Mizzou was able to get a run back in the top of the fourth, with a Jenna Laird RBI Fielder's choice. With two outs and runners on the corners, Abby George rocketed a line drive to left, but a diving catch prevented the Tigers from adding any more runs.
In the top of the fifth, Wilmes ripped a single through the right side, stole a base and reached third on the errant throw from the catcher. The Tigers were not able to bring her around and she was stranded at third.
In the bottom half of the inning, Georgia tacked on another run with two outs. After a slick double play turned by Mizzou, a two-strike triple in the right-center field gap scored another to put the score at 7-3.
Mizzou again threatened in the top of the sixth inning, getting runners on first and second, but they were unable to capitalize.
TURNING POINT
After a perfect bottom half of the inning, the Tigers needed four runs to extend the game. With one out in the inning, Cayla Kessinger and Hatti Moore got the Mizzou rally started with a pair of singles. Kimberly Wert brought home the first run of the inning with a lined single up the middle to make it a 7-4 game. With two outs and runners on the corners, Alex Honnold ripped a ball at the shortstop that deflected off of her glove, allowing another run to score, putting the score at 7-5.
The reigning SEC freshman of the week, Jenna Laird, brought in another run by lining a single into center field. Trailing only by a run, Kendyll Bailey drew a walk to load the bases. Abby George was the next batter, and she slapped a single up the middle, to score another run and tie the game at seven runs apiece. A rundown between third and home ended the Tiger's rally.
After Mizzou extended the game, Georgia looked to walk it off. The first batter of the inning reached on an error that would prove costly for the Tigers. After a strikeout, the next batter ripped a 3-2 pitch down the right field line for a double, putting runners on second and third. The next batter bounced a ball towards third and the throw home was too high, giving the Bulldogs an 8-7 walkoff victory.
TOP TIGERS
Brooke Wilmes went 2-for-4 at the plate on the day with a double and a run scored.
Kimberly Wert was productive for the Tigers offensively, going 2-for-4 while blasting her 10th home run of the season.
Jenna Laird went 3-for-4 at the plate with two runs batted in. The freshman's only at bat without a hit on the day was an RBI fielder's choice in which she reached base.
NOTES
Brooke Wilmes moved into sixth on the Mizzou doubles list with her 43rd career double in the first inning.
Kimberly Wert's home run in the first inning moved her into a tie for seventh on the Mizzou home runs list with 32.
Abby George has already surpassed her previous high for hits in a single season.
After 11 consecutive games without an error, the Tigers committed a season-high of three.
UP NEXT
Mizzou will return home for a midweek doubleheader against Western Illinois starting at 3 pm CT on SECN+.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Avant, Mary Wilson (11-1)
L: Nichols, Emma (3-2)
Batting:
2B: Wilmes, Brooke 1
HR: Wert, Kimberly 1
RBI: Wert, Kimberly 3 ; Laird, Jenna 2 ; George, Abby 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Wilmes, Brooke 1 ; Kessinger, Cayla 1 ; Moore, Hatti 1 ; Wert, Kimberly 1 ; Rollin, Jazmyn 1 ; Myint, Imani 1 ; Honnold, Alex 1
SB: Wilmes, Brooke 1 ; Laird, Jenna 1
Batting:
2B: Fields, Jaiden 1 ; Chambley, Sydney 1
3B: Armistead, Ellie 1
HR: Kuma, Sydney 1 ; Fincher, Lacey 1 ; Armistead, Ellie 1
RBI: Kuma, Sydney 1 ; Fincher, Lacey 2 ; Kearney, Jayda 1 ; Armistead, Ellie 3
Base Running:
RUNS: Kuma, Sydney 1 ; Sikes, Savana 1 ; Fincher, Lacey 1 ; Mosley, Sara 1 ; Fields, Jaiden 1 ; Eaton, Hayley 1 ; Kearney, Jayda 1 ; Armistead, Ellie 1
