Sixth Inning Eruption Propels No. 15 Mizzou Softball Over No. 9 Florida, 6-3

The No. 15 Missouri Tigers softball team took down the No. 9 Florida Gators 6-3 in the first of the three-game at-home series on Friday after a four-run sixth inning.

Believe it or not, Mizzou didn’t record a hit until that wild sixth inning, but the Tigers were still able to log two runs in the second. On the first run, catcher Julia Crenshaw’s hit by the pitch eventually brought her home after right fielder Kayley Lenger was also hit by the pitch (Stefania Abruscato’s fielder’s choice, followed by left fielder Mya Dodge being walked loaded the bases). Shortly after, shortstop Jenna Laird’s sacrifice fly brought Abruscato home.

The Gators didn’t have trouble in this department early in the game as they scored a run in each of the first three innings. Nevertheless, the Tigers’ defense and pitching by Laurin Krings responded well after each of these runs as they all came within the first out of each of each respective inning.

The Mizzou defense held strong for the rest of Krings’ tenure as after allowing a hit to open the fourth inning, two ground-outs and a line-out were the Gators’ only response. Marrissa McCann filled in for Krings to open the fifth inning and counting the aforementioned consecutive three outs, the two combined for 11-straight retired batters.

The Tiger offense finally picked up from the defense’s momentum in the sixth inning after Abruscato had the honor of achieving the team’s first hit of the evening, which brought Claire Cahalan, who pinched ran for Abby Hay after being walked, to third base. Dodge followed it up with an unlikely strikeout, but from there, Mizzou began to rally.

Lenger and Maddie Gallagher’s singles and Alex Honnold’s HBP added three runs to the scoreboard and the Tigers found themselves up 6-3 entering the seventh inning. All the momentum had shifted with the Columbia, Mo. crowd.

From there, McCann and the defense took care of the Gators’ batters to end the game.