LEESBURG, Fla. – University of Missouri softball (3-2) closed out the weekend with a 6-5 win over No. 24 Liberty. The Tigers held off the Flames’ late rally to pick up their first top 25 win of the season.
Mizzou took the lead in the first inning after an RBI single from Kimberly Wert scored Jenna Laird.
The Flames responded in the second inning after a two-out error followed by three-straight singles. The inning ended after the runner on third base was called out for interference.
Casidy Chaumont got the Tigers going in the fifth with a deep line drive to right field for a triple. Jenna Laird was able to bring her in with a single to short.
TURNING POINT
The sixth inning proved to be crucial for both teams. With the score tied, Kimberly Wert and Kendyll Bailey each knocked singles back up the middle. Gabi Deters reached on a fielder’s choice to load the bases and Riley Frizell singled through the left side to drive in two runs. Leading 4-2, the Tigers again loaded the bases before Brooke Wilmes was hit by a pitch and Jenna Laird walked to bring in two more runs, putting the score at 6-2. A double play ended the inning for Mizzou.
The Flames then struck with a crooked number of their own. After the first two batters reached on a single and a walk, a wild pitch and a 2-run single closed the margin to 6-4. After the runner on first advanced on a wild pitch, an error allowed her to cross the plate, cutting the Tigers’ lead to a single run.
After the Tigers went down in order in the seventh, Liberty applied pressure quickly. On the first pitch of the inning, Alex Honnold made a diving catch right on the foul line in right field to record the first out. After an infield single, a walk, and an error, the Flames loaded the bases. Mizzou picked up a big out after Jenna Laird backhanded a ball at short and gunned down the runner at home to keep it tied. Ultimately, Laurin Krings was able to strike out the final batter and pick up the save.
NOTES
The Tigers picked up their first ranked with of the season.
Alex Honnold went 2-for-4 with two doubles, marking the first time in her career that she has recorded multiple extra-base hits.
Jenna Laird recorded her 11th-career multi-RBI game, going 2-for-3 on the afternoon with a double.
Kimberly Wert went 2-for-4 with an RBI single.
The Tigers are 2-0 when recording 10 or more hits.
Mizzou finished with a season-high four extra base hits.
UP NEXT
Mizzou will travel to Fort Myers, Florida to take on FCGU in a midweek showdown on Tuesday at 5 p.m. CT.
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For all the latest on Mizzou Softball, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team @MizzouSoftball (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook).
