Tigers Rally Past No. 9/12 Kentucky to Take Series

LEXINGTON, Ky. – In a contest that featured six lead changes, University of Missouri softball (27-17, 7-9 SEC) was able to secure the series win over No. 9/12 Kentucky (30-13, 9-8 SEC) with an 8-7 win. Emma Raabe drove in the go-ahead run with an RBI single in the top of the seventh while Jordan Weber tossed two scoreless innings in relief to secure the victory.

RECAP

Each team put a pair of runners on base in the first, but neither side could push a run across in the frame. Mizzou took the lead in the second inning on a Kara Daly solo home run down the left field line.

The Wildcats answered right back with a rally in the home half. A leadoff double put a runner in scoring position right away before a one-out RBI single through the right side tied it up. With two outs, Kowalik was down to a 1-2 count before crushing a two-run homer over the center field wall to give Kentucky a 3-1 lead.

Missouri returned the favor, tying it up in the third. Casidy Chaumont ripped a double down the left field line to put a runner in scoring position with one out. Kimberly Wert then stepped up to the plate and crushed a 1-0 pitch over the left field wall for her home run of the weekend.

In the fourth, Emma Raabe knocked a one-out single into center to put a runner aboard before Maddie Snider entered as a pinch runner. Snider stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch and Jenna Laird put Mizzou out front with a single through the right side.

Kentucky threatened again in the bottom half. With runners on the corners and two outs, Smith beat out a ground ball to short to even the score once again. Krings was able to strand two runners on base to prevent any further damage.

The Tigers put two runners on with a pair of one-out walks in the fifth before Alex Honnold ripped a single back up the middle that deflected off the pitcher’s leg to the right side, scoring Hannah McGivern from second. Kara Daly then hit a ground ball back to the pitcher that was thrown away, making it 6-4 for Mizzou.

The Wildcats responded again in the home half. After a leadoff walk, Johnson singled to right, but Alex Honnold was able to throw out the runner at third for the first out. The next batter reached on an error, putting two runners in scoring position. An RBI groundout to short cut the Tigers’ lead to just one before pinch-hitter Renee Abernathy drove a 3-2 pitch over the center field wall to five Kentucky a 7-6 lead heading into the sixth.

With one out in the top of the sixth, Brooke Wilmes tied the game right back up with a solo home run to left center. Jordan Weber then entered the circle for the Tigers in the home half and produced the first perfect inning of the game.

Looking to jump out in front in the seventh, Alex Honnold led off the inning with a double to left center. Daly grounded out, moving Honnold over to third with one out. Emma Raabe then lined a 1-0 offering into left field to put Mizzou ahead. Jordan Weber tossed another three-up, three-down frame to secure the victory.

NOTES

Kimberly Wert crushed a two-run home run in the third inning for her third homer of the series. She also drew three walks in the contest.

Wert has reached in all eight plate appearances over the two games.

Brooke Wilmes put together another multi-hit night with a 2-for-4 effort while also crushing a game-tying solo home run.

Jordan Weber picked up her 10th win of the season with two perfect innings in relief.

Kara Daly crushed her 10th home run of the year in the second inning, becoming the third Tiger to reach double-digit homers on the year.

Jenna Laird became the first Tiger to reach 20 stolen bases in a season since 2016. Laird also added an RBI single.

Emma Raabe recorded her fourth multi-hit game of the year with her game-winning RBI single in the top of the seventh.

After Daly’s solo homer in the second, the Tigers put a run on the board in each of the last six innings.

Mizzou has hit 24 extra base hits, including 16 home runs over its last six games.

The Tigers take the series win, moving to 11-10 all-time against Kentucky. Mizzou has won five-straight games against the Wildcats.  

UP NEXT

The Tigers will look to sweep the series on Monday night at 6 p.m. CT on SEC Network in Lexington.

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