After a disappointing series against Tennessee, No. 16 Missouri had a chance to bounce back with a home series against No. 3 LSU. The home team pulled off two consecutive upsets, winning the series.

Missouri opened the series with a 10-9 win in a thriller. 

The road team started ahead in the first matchup, as LSU pushed three runs in the first inning across four hits. The highlight of the hits came on a two-run double from graduate Raeleen Gutierrez to make it 2-0. 

Missouri responded with three runs in the bottom of the first to tie things up at 3-3. After senior shortstop Jenna Laird reached first base on a dropped third strike, senior outfielder Alex Honnold scored the first run with a double. 

Missouri snagged its first lead in the bottom of the second, scoring four runs. Honnold continued her offensive efficiency with another double to score three runs. These runs plus a sacrifice fly from junior catcher Julia Crenshaw gave the home team a 7-3 lead. 

LSU snagged back the lead with five runs over the next two innings. With the game tied at 7-7 in the fourth inning, Gutierrez rocked a two-run homer to give the visiting team the lead. 

Missouri came roaring back and tied the game at 9-9 with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth. One of two runs came on a solo home run from Crenshaw. 

After senior Laurin Krings allowed nine runs, freshman Marissa McCann came in relief. In 2.2 innings, McCann kept LSU scoreless with one hit and four walks.

“Going into the game, I knew it just had to be a shut-them-down mindset,” McCann said.

In the bottom of the sixth, Missouri retook the lead, 10-9, with one run. Senior infielder Maddie Gallagher opened the inning with a double, then was scored by freshman infielder Madison Walker. Missouri brought in sophomore pitcher Taylor Pannell to close out the game in the seventh. Pannell finished the game with three outs while allowing only one baserunner. 

Missouri continued to roll, defeating LSU 3-2 the next day. 

The visitors grabbed the lead early with two runs in the first two innings. Both runs came off solo home runs from senior outfielder Ali Newland and junior outfielder McKenzie Redoutey.

Missouri responded in the bottom of the third with three runs to steal the lead. The home team got on base a variety of ways, including a pair of hit-by-pitches. One of these hit Gallagher with the bases loaded, scoring the eventual game-winning run. 

Sophomore pitcher Cierra Harrison started the game, allowing both runs on three hits. McCann entered the game in the third, shutting down the visitors once again. In four innings, McCann allowed no runs with only three hits.

With the lead entering the seventh, Missouri brought Pannell back into the circle. The sophomore made quick work of LSU, with three straight outs to secure the series win.

“I just wanted to close out the game,” Pannell said. “Winning the series was really big.”

Missouri could not complete the sweep, falling 4-3 in the March 24 finale.

Graduate outfielder Ciara Briggs hit a triple in the first inning, scoring the first run for LSU on a wild pitch. Missouri responded with two runs in the second inning to take the lead. Sophomore infielder Katie Chester blasted a two-run shot into left center field for the lead. The visitors tied it up in the third inning thanks to an RBI single from Briggs. Missouri quickly took the lead yet again in the bottom of the third after a pair of LSU errors. 

LSU continued to battle, scoring another two runs in the sixth inning. Missouri was unable to fire back and was held scoreless in the final four innings. 

After the 2-1 weekend, Missouri improved to 25-7 overall and 4-5 against SEC opponents.
 

Edited by Grace Ainger | gainger@themaneater.com

Copy edited by Briana Iordan | biordan@themaneater.com

Edited by Genevieve Smith | gsmith@themaneater.com