Jack Andersen
The Missouri Tigers claimed their first SEC series win against No. 27 Georgia with two wins and one loss. With this series win, Missouri advanced 25-30 for the season and 6-18 in SEC play.
Game 1
The Tigers took the first win of the series 4-2. Sophomore pitcher Marissa McCann took the mound this game pitching for six innings with seven strikeouts, allowing two runs on six hits.
It was a big night for freshman infielder Abbie Wilhelm, as she notched her first home run and collegiate hit of the season, following senior outfielder Mya Dodge’s home run with sophomore pinch runner Danielle Blackstun in the sixth inning. These runs secured the Tigers 4-2 win.
Tiger defense played a crucial part of the Missouri win, notably in the top of the fourth with a double out by sophomore outfielder Stefania Abruscato. Abruscato caught a pop up in right field, then made a swift throw to third base where senior Kara Daly tagged out a Georgia runner.
“The game is always on the line every single pitch,” head coach Larissa Anderson said regarding Missouri’s defense. “If you treat every pitch the same, it’s not more valuable because it’s the first out or 21st out of the game, you’re not going to feel that internal pressure.”
Dodge took the offensive lead going 1-for-1 with a home run and two RBIs. Wilhelm followed behind going 1-for-3 with a home run and an RBI.
Game 2
The Tigers fell 3-2 in the second game of the series. Junior pitcher Taylor Pannell took the mound for six innings, earning three strikeouts and allowing three earned runs on eight hits.
By the second inning, the teams were tied up 1-1 with a home run from freshman shortstop Madison Uptegrove, marking her fourth home run of the season. She finished 1-for-2 with a home run and an RBI.
Georgia advanced two runs in the fourth inning and Missouri only responded with one run from Uptegrove off a passed ball, solidifying the 3-2 win for Georgia.
Game 3
Missouri notched another win against Georgia 1-0 in the third game. Junior pitcher Cierra Harrison made her first appearance of the weekend, pitching six scoreless innings. This was her second scoreless outing of the season, allowing just two hits with a strikeout.
Uptegrove notched a home run to left center, earning the Tigers only run of the game. She went 1-for-1 with a home run and an RBI. This marked her fifth home run of the season.
This was also senior night for the Tigers, as the team honored its five seniors, infielder Taylor Ebbs, catcher Julia Crenshaw, pitcher Jayci Kruse, Daly and Dodge.
Edited by Killian Wright | [email protected]
Copy edited by Ava Mohror | [email protected]
Edited by Emily Skidmore | [email protected]