No. 12/13 Softball Notches Run-Rule Victory over George Mason Thursday

FAIRFAX, Va.  – The No. 12/13 University of Missouri softball team (28-7, 4-5 SEC) picked up an 11-2 run-rule victory over George Mason (10-21) Thursday at the George Mason Softball Complex.

With a pair of four-run frames and five RBI from junior Mya Dodge, the Tigers prevailed over the Patriots in six innings.

Dodge concluded the day 3-for-3 with three doubles becoming the first Tiger since Brooke Wilmes against Georgia on March 17, 2019, to record three two-baggers in a contest.

In her second career start, Lilly Whitten pitched five strong innings, allowing one run on five hits with six strikeouts. With the win, Whitten improved to 4-0 in 2024 in her sixth career appearance.

Mizzou jumped out to an early 1-0 advantage Thursday after Dodge doubled to score Katie Chester in the top of the second inning.

In the top of the third, the Tigers worked themselves into a bases loaded situation before Maddie Gallagher singled to center to bring home Lenger to extend the Mizzou lead to 2-0.

The Tigers kept the line moving as Katie Chester and Kara Daly each were hit by a pitch as the Mizzou lead grew to 4-0. Dodge later flew out to right field on a sacrifice to pick up her second RBI of the contest and move the score to 5-0.

Mizzou opened the fourth with four consecutive singles including bunt singles from Kayley Lenger and Jenna Laird.

George Mason clawed one run back in the fourth inning to move the score to 5-1 after Sydney Bales produced an RBI double.

Mizzou responded in the fifth as Julia Crenshaw sent one over the wall to extend the Tigers lead 6-1. The Tigers later loaded the bases following a double from Dodge and a pair of walks. Laird then brought home Dodge on a sacrifice fly to give Mizzou a 7-1 lead.

In the top of the sixth, Dodge cleared the bases with her third double of the contest to give the Tigers a 10-1 advantage. She then scored on an error by the Patriots.

Nathalie Touchet entered in the sixth inning, making her fourth appearance of the season. After giving up a run, Touchet worked out of a jam to close out the contest.

NOTES

• Kara Daly extended her reached-base streak to 12 games after an RBI hit-by-pitch.
• Jenna Laird has now reached base in each of the last nine games, with a single in the third inning.
• Mya Dodge ended the day going a season-best matching 3-for-3, with a career-best tying three doubles. Dodge became the first Tiger since Brooke Wilmes against Georgia on March 17, 2019, to record three two-baggers in a contest.
• Mya Dodge previously notched three doubles at Southern Illinois on March 19, 2022, when she was a member of Northern Iowa.
• With five RBI and three hits, Mya Dodge matched season-bests set at Fordham two days ago on March 26. Dodge has totaled seven hits and 10 RBI over the last three games.
• Mya Dodge is one run away from her 100 career runs, after scoring twice Thursday.
• Mya Dodge is currently on a four-game hitting streak.
• Kayley Lenger went 2-for-2 for her fourth multi-hit performance of the season.
• Maddie Gallagher recorded an RBI after a single in the second inning. She has tallied an RBI in five consecutive games (six RBI).
• Maddie Gallagher went 2-for-3 for the day and notched her fifth multi-hit game of the season (third on Mizzou). She has posted a hit in each of the last three games.
• Julia Crenshaw homered for the third time this season. She also now leads the team in RBI with 26.
• Lilly Whitten pitched five strong innings, allowing one run on five hits with six strikeouts.
• Lilly Whitten‘s five innings pitched and six strikeouts are her most since her first start against South Dakota State on Feb. 17 (eight strikeouts over six innings).
• With the win, Lilly Whitten improved to 4-0 to begin her career as a Tiger.
• Nathalie Touchet entered the contest in the sixth inning to make her second appearance of the season. She allowed one run on two hits.
• Thursday marked the first-ever meeting between Mizzou and George Mason. Missouri now leads the all-time series, 1-0.
• The run-rule win was the seventh for Mizzou in 2024. 

LOOKING AHEAD 

• Missouri wraps its East Coast Spring Break Trip Saturday against Villanova (18-11) in Villanova, Pennsylvania.
• Mizzou next returns home to host Southeast Missouri in midweek action at the Mizzou Softball Stadium on April 3. Games are set for 4 p.m., CT and 6:30 p.m., CT in the doubleheader.
• The Tigers then resume SEC play with a weekend series at Arkansas April 5-7. 

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