The Missouri softball team (11-9) opened SEC play by visiting No. 5 Alabama Crimson Tide (24-0) for a doubleheader in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The Tigers lost the first game 3-1, and the second 14-8.

In game one, redshirt senior Madi Norman took the bump for the Tigers and was able to keep her team in the game even while having to pitch out of jams. Despite giving up nine hits, one walk and only striking out one, she allowed just three earned runs in a full six innings of work.

In the bottom of the first, Norman gave up a run on an infield single. She was then taken deep for a solo shot in the second. After two, the Crimson Tide led 2-0.

In the top of the fourth, Norman got her only offensive support of the day. One of her team’s two hits came in the form of a solo home run by shortstop Jazmyn Rollin.

However, the offense was unable to put together any serious threat to overtake the Tide, mustering just one hit the remainder of the contest.

Norman gave up a sacrifice fly in the bottom half of the sixth. This stretched the Tiger deficit to two. Missouri brought the tying run up to the plate but did not score in the top of the seventh.

In game two, Missouri jumped on Alabama early, scoring six runs in the top of the first inning. The Tigers scored all of their runs with two outs. Sophomore Callie Martin knocked in two with an RBI double and sophomore Hatti Moore drove in two more with a single to left. The women in black and gold would add two more runs in the inning.

Missouri added another two-out run in the top of the second on a single by sophomore Kim Wert. Alabama got on the board with two in the bottom of the second to cut the lead to 7-2. MU scored its final run of the game on a sacrifice fly from redshirt freshman Kendyll Bailey.

The Tigers’ large lead did not last long. Alabama scored one run in the third, five in the fourth, three in the fifth and three in the sixth for a 14-8 comeback win.

Sophomore Cassie Gasper got the start for Missouri and allowed six runs, four earned in three innings of work. Sophomore Baleigh Koester took the loss after pitching two innings and giving up six earned runs.

Alabama junior Sarah Cornell pitched 6.1 innings in relief and allowed one earned run. Cornell had pitched under current Missouri coach Larissa Anderson during her freshman and sophomore years at Hofstra.

_Edited by Emily Leiker | eleiker@themaneater.com_