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COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Softball was unable to get the bats going in the Columbia Super Regional opener. The Tigers fell by a score of 2-1 after James Madison was able to sneak two runs across in the seventh and Mizzou stranded the bases loaded to end the game.
Jordan Weber was impressive for the Tigers once again in the circle. Weber pitched all seven innings for her fourth-consecutive complete game effort. She was credited with the loss despite taking a no-hitter into the seventh inning.
Neither team was able to get their bats rolling in the early stages of the game. Odicci Alexander and Jordan Weber went back and forth putting up zeroes. In the top of the second, Weber struck out the side, each of them swinging. The Tigers were able to put a runner in scoring position in the bottom of the second after Casidy Chaumont drew a walk with two outs and then advanced to second on a passed ball, but Mizzou could not come up with the timely hit.
Weber again struck out three batters in the third despite issuing a one-out walk. Brooke Wilmes broke through with a two out single in the bottom of the third for the first hit of the ballgame from either side.
Both pitchers retired the respective sides in order in the fourth and fifth innings. The Dukes were able to get a baserunner to lead off the sixth after an error. However, Weber was able to come back and retire the next two batters on two total pitches and then record a three-pitch strikeout to rapidly close out the threat.
TURNING POINT
Brooke Wilmes was able to get some momentum for the Tigers in the bottom of the sixth. She drew a one-out walk and stole second base. Mizzou could not come up with another base hit to score her from second.
JMU broke up Weber’s no hitter with an infield single from Alexander. After Weber recorded another strikeout, a 1-2 pitch snuck inside and hit the batter on the elbow pad to put runners on first and second. Weber had not allowed a runner to reach second prior to that inning. Another infield single loaded the bases to put James Madison in a prime scoring position.
Weber was able to jam the batter with an 0-1 pitch, but the contact was just good enough to allow the ball to float into the outfield and score a run. The next batter flew one into left field to bring home a second run to make it 2-0 for JMU. With runners on second and third, Weber got the final batter to pop up to third.
The Tigers were able to generate a rally of their own in the bottom of the seventh. Cayla Kessinger drew a one-out walk to bring the tying run to the plate. After a 3-2 strikeout, Emma Raabe and Kendyll Bailey drew walks to load the bases. The freshman Alex Honnold pinch hit with the bases loaded and drew a walk to bring in a run for Mizzou, making it 2-1 with the tying run on third and winning run on second. The Tigers could not get it done on this occasion, as a fly out to left ended it.
TOP TIGERS
Jordan Weber pitched 13 consecutive innings without allowing a hit before allowing a pair of infield singles and a blooper into left center. She struck out nine batters with only one walk on the night.
NOTES
Weber has taken a no-hitter or perfect game into the fifth inning or later seven timed during the 2021 season.
Jordan Weber’s nine strikeouts mark her second best effort this season, with 13 being her season and career-high.
Brooke Wilmes extended her hitting streak to eight games.
Mizzou has not won a Super Regional game since 2012. The Tigers have lost eight-straight Super Regional contests.
The crowd of 2,632 set a new Mizzou Softball Stadium record. One that was previously set in 2017 with a crowd of 2,537 against Arkansas.
UP NEXT
The Tigers will look to avoid elimination in the second game of the Columbia Super Regional. The contest is scheduled for Saturday at 6 p.m. CT on ESPNU.
