The No. 18 Missouri softball team headed into this weekend series against No. 12 Kentucky with confidence and momentum after two solid wins Wednesday night against Wichita State.
The Tigers, however, dropped the first game of the series, 7–6, but not after an impressive comeback both offensively and defensively.
After being the first team on the scoreboard with a RBI by junior Chloe Rathburn, Mizzou had a sloppy defensive start, allowing six hits and three of those being home runs. At the end of the 34-minute-long first inning, the score was 6-1.
Defense picked it up after Kentucky increased their lead by one more in the second inning. The Tigers ended the inning with a double play. The team was able to score one more in the top of the third inning with a double steal by seniors Taylor Gadbois and Emily Crane.
With freshman right-handed pitcher Danielle Baumgartner now in the circle, Missouri defense was able to hold strong and not let any Kentucky players across home plate. The fourth inning was Mizzou’s rally inning, with two doubles from Crane and freshman Rylee Pierce scoring three runs and making the game a one-run ball game.
Sophomore left-handed pitcher Paige Lowary came in for relief for the rest of the game, and shut out Kentucky’s offense in order.
It was all defense from there. Kentucky and Missouri were not able to score any runs between the fifth and the seventh innings, and the Tigers’ comeback fell just one run short.
Missouri softball will stay in Lexington for the weekend to play two more games in this conference matchup. Tomorrow’s game will begin at 4 p.m. and Sunday’s game will begin at noon.