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COLUMBIA, Mo. — The No. 25/23 University of Missouri softball team (16-9, 0-3 SEC) dropped both games of its doubleheader against the No. 16/16 Kentucky (16-5-1, 3-0 SEC) Sunday at the Mizzou Softball Stadium. The Wildcats secured the series sweep with a pair of wins (5-0 and 6-0) Sunday.
No. 25/23 Missouri 0, No. 16/16 Kentucky 5
In game one of the doubleheader Sunday, junior Jenna Laird went 3-for-3 at the plate, recording three of Mizzou’s five hits and picking up a stolen base.
The two teams were locked in a pitcher’s duel early, combining for just five hits in the first three frames.
Junior Chantice Phillips showcased her defense for the Tigers, robbing Kentucky’s Grace Lorsung of a home run in the fourth inning to keep the game scoreless.
The Wildcats would go on to take the lead in the top of the sixth on a two-run double from Kennedy Sullivan. Kentucky would tack on three more in the top of the seventh to finalize the win.
Alexia Lacatena picked up the win for the Wildcats, limiting Mizzou to five hits with five strikeouts over 5.1 innings. Stephanie Schoonover came on for the final five outs for Kentucky, striking out a trio to go with a walk for the save.
Jordan Weber was handed the loss, allowing two runs on six hits with two strikeouts and two walks in 5.2 innings of work.
No. 25/23 Missouri 0, No. 16/16 Kentucky 6
In the series finale, Missouri fell to Kentucky 6-0 Sunday afternoon.
Kentucky took the lead in the first inning, posting three early runs on three hits and an error. They would add two runs in the third and one in the fifth to put the game out of reach.
The Tigers loaded the bases in four of the seven innings but were unable to score.
Junior Alex Honnold led the Tigers with two hits.
Laird notched a hit in the sixth inning, going 4-for-6 on the day.
Senior Emma Nichols recorded a season-high three strikeouts in relief, allowing just three hits and no runs in a season-best two innings.
Cierra Harrison was assessed the loss, allowing four earned runs on four hits in three innings. She notched a pair of strikeouts and a walk.
Stephanie Schoonover compiled her 10th win of the season (second of the series) with a complete-game shutout with seven strikeouts. Schoonover handed out six walks to go with seven strikeouts.
GAME NOTES
• Jenna Laird had three hits in the first game Sunday, tying a season best.
• Kara Daly and Maddie Gallagher each had hits in the Sunday opener.
• Alex Honnold paced the Tigers in the finale, going 2-for-4.
• Jenna Laird, Chantice Phillips, Vanessa Hollingsworth, Kara Daly, and Payton Jackson each added a hit in game two.
• Vanessa Hollingsworth connected on her first career double in the contest.
• Katie Chester tallied a pair of walks in the second game while Julia Crenshaw was hit by a pitch twice.
• Emma Nichols picked up a season-high three strikeouts in relief over 2.0 innings (game two).
• Cierra Harrison recorded her first career loss in game two, giving up five runs on four hits and one walk.
• For head coach Larissa Anderson, the three losses to Kentucky this weekend are the first in her career at Missouri (6-3 against Kentucky at Mizzou).
UP NEXT
- The Tigers will next take on Illinois in a doubleheader Tuesday, March 14, at Mizzou Softball Stadium. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 1 p.m.
