Mizzou Softball (21-5, 4-2) powered past Illinois, 17-5, and secured its seventh run-rule victory of the season. The Tigers tied the school record with five home runs for the second time this season. Mizzou hit three long balls in an eight-run third inning. The squad’s 17 runs was a season-high and the most scored in a single game since 2003 when the Tigers plated 17 against New Mexico State.
Freshman Amanda Sanchez (West Covina, Calif.) launched two home runs in the same game for the first time in her young career. After Sami Fagan (Dunnellon, Fla.) lifted an RBI single to get the Tigers on the board, Sanchez roped a two-run home run well over the right field wall. Then freshman Morgan Walters (Buford, Ga.) collected her second career RBI to plate Mizzou’s fourth run of the opening frame.
The Tigers struck again in a big third inning to build a comfortable cushion. Sophomore Kirsten Mack (Riverside, Calif.) smacked a two-run home run three batters into the inning. She now has a team-high eight long balls this season.
Following an error and a single, sophomore Anna Reed (Lonedell, Mo.) pinch hit and delivered a double in the gap, scoring two runs for her first two career RBI. Reed came around to score on a triple from Fagan. Fagan went 4-for-5 at the dish with two triples in the contest. She is the first Tiger to record two three-baggers in a game since Rhea Taylor in 2010.
Mizzou capped off the big inning with two more home runs. Sanchez hit her second two-run bomb of the day to push the lead to 11-0. Then freshman Sara Harvey (Kansas City, Mo.) smashed a solo shot over the left field wall for her first career home run.
Illinois eventually plated five runs in the bottom half of third to close the gap, but senior Kelsea Roth (Yorba Linda, Calif.) solidified the run-rule in style, belting a sixth-inning grand slam. Roth now has 17 RBI in her last 11 games.
Game two of the doubleheader was cancelled due to steady rain at the Lou Brock Sports Complex in St. Charles, Mo. The Tigers are back in action with a huge three-game series this weekend vs. No. 8 Auburn. The series begins Friday, March 27 with first pitch set for 6:30 p.m. CT.
