(Photo Credit: Clayton Hotze)
The 15th seeded Missouri Tigers softball team continued their quest for a national title Friday defeating the Bradley Braves in dramatic fashion, winning 6-5 in extra innings. Sophomore shortstop Corinn Genovese put on a spectacular performance going 4-4 with two runs and two RBI’s, including the game-winning hit.
The Tiger offense started early as redshirt sophomore outfielder Taylor Gadbois smacked a double to the outfield wall before advancing to third on a groundout. A bunt single by sophomore Emily Crane scored Gadbois giving Missouri an early 1-0 advantage.
Missouri rallied again in the fifth plating three more runners to push the advantage to 4-0. After a walk to junior Angela Randazzo, Genovese drove in pinch-runner Sarah Moore with a double off the wall, her second of the game. Following a walk to senior Mackenzie Sykes, runners were at first and second for junior Kelsea Roth. Roth answered right on cue with a single up the middle scoring Genovese to push the lead to three. A pinch-hit single from freshman Natalie Fleming scored Sykes before the rally ended as Roth was gunned down at the plate.
The Braves weren’t going down lightly though as they rallied for five runs in the seventh to take a late lead. Starting pitcher Casey Stangel issued a pair of walks before giving up a 3-run bomb to Bradley first baseman Alyson Clemente, narrowing the Missouri lead to just one run. The Braves went on to plate two more runners to take a 5-4 advantage heading into the bottom of the seventh.
In the home half of the seventh it was Genovese again sparking the offense as she ripped her third double of the day into the gap. Later in the inning with one out and the bases juiced catcher Kirsten Mack hit a sac-fly to right field scoring Genovese to tie the game at 5-5.
A strong relief performance from senior Alora Marble in the top frame gave the Tigers momentum heading into the bottom of the eighth. In the bottom half of the inning a pair of walks and a single loaded the bases for the games most valuable player, Corrin Genovese. And just like it was planned Genovese hit a rocket through the left side to score Gadbois and give Missouri the 6-5 win.
Though the win was exciting, the job is far from over for the Tigers. Missouri will take on Kansas in the winners bracket for the Midwest region on Saturday. First pitch is at 3:30pm at University Field.
