The Missouri Tigers softball team rode a productive fifth inning to grab a 7-0 victory over Indiana State in game two of the NCAA Columbia regional on Friday.
After giving up a leadoff single sophomore pitcher Tori Finucane went to work retiring the side in order. Finucane gave up just two hits on the afternoon, while striking out four and walking one over five innings of work.
The win is Finucane’s 20th on the season as she continues to lead the Tiger pitching staff with dominant performances.
Before the Tiger bats came alive it was the speed of Taylor Gadbois and Emily Crane that helped Missouri grab an early lead. After each singled, both players swiped a bag to put runners on second and third with no outs.
Though a pair of groundouts halted the momentum, the Tigers were able to put a run across and take a 1-0 lead.
Missouri threatened in the fourth with the bases loaded, but was unable to capitalize on the opportunity. The Tigers loaded the bases again in the fifth, this time plating five runners to take a 6-0 lead. The big blow came on a pinch-hit three-run home run off the bat of Jordan Zolman. The home run was the second of Zolman’s career.
Cheyenne Baxter came on in relief in the sixth inning working a perfect frame. After the Tigers picked up an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth they took care of business in the seventh to secure a 7-0 victory.
Crane provided three of Missouri’s ten hits on the afternoon to push her career NCAA tournament average to .471 in 11 games.
Gadbois’ two steals pushes her career total to 90, which is good for third all-time in Missouri softball history.
After the game Missouri head coach Ehren Earleywine highlighted the defense as a reason for his teams dominant performance.
“We felt like if we played good defense we’d win, and I felt like we played exceptional defense, in particular Angie at third base, she made all the plays, and that was the difference for me in the game.”
The Tigers take on Kansas in a border war rivalry tomorrow at 10 a.m. CT. Missouri won the battle in last year’s regional tournament, edging the Jayhawks 6-3.
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