Softball Downs Ole Miss, 8-3, in Series Opener

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri softball program (25-18, 4-12 SEC) utilized a five-run second inning to secure an 8-3 series-opening victory over Ole Miss (24-19, 3-10 SEC) Saturday afternoon at Mizzou Softball Stadium.

Missouri scored eight runs over the second and third frames en route to the game one win. 

Senior pitcher Jordan Weber pitched around a bases loaded jam in the top of the second before the Tigers offense registered five runs on four hits in the home half of the inning. 

Mizzou opened the scoring in the bottom of the second with a two-run double off the bat of junior Jenna Laird. The Tigers loaded the bases with a pair of singles and a fielder’s choice to set the table for Laird. 

Missouri then extended its lead to five following a three-run homer by sophomore Kara Daly, her eighth long ball of the season. 

The Tigers lead swelled to 8-0 in the bottom of the third, as Maddie Gallagher scored off an RBI single from Payton Jackson. Jackson then touched home thanks to

Laird’s third RBI of the day. The Tigers added another run on a bases loaded walk.

The Rebels would pack the bases once again, but Weber was able to elude another bases loaded scenario in the visiting half of the fourth.

Ole Miss got on the board in the top of the fifth with a three-run home run from Keila Kamoku, cutting the advantage to 8-3.

That was all the damage the Rebels would be able to muster as freshman Cierra Harrison shut down the Ole Miss offense over the final 2.2 innings to cap the 8-3 Tigers victory. 

Harrison allowed no hits and no runs with a pair of walks in the relief appearance. 
 

NOTES

• Mizzou moves to 21-0 this season when scoring six or more runs.

• Head coach Larissa Anderson picked up her first career win over the Rebels.

• Junior Maddie Gallagher extended her hit streak to seven games with a single in the bottom of the second.

• Jenna Laird (2-for-4) and Payton Jackson (2-for-3) led Mizzou with two hits each. 

• For Jenna Laird, it was her 17th multi-hit game of the season while it was the third two-hit outing for Payton Jackson. 

• Junior Jenna Laird brought home three Tiger runs. It marked the fourth time in her career that she had recorded three or more RBI in a game and eighth multi-RBI game of the season. 

• Kara Daly capped off a five-run second with her eighth home run of the year (21st career home run). 

• Senior Jordan Weber earned her seventh win of the season, working 4.1 innings. She allowed just three runs on seven hits with a strikeout and a walk. 

• Kara Daly’s four RBI performance marks the fifth time she has had four or more RBI in a game this season.

• Cierra Henderson tossed 2.2 innings of shutout softball, her fourth appearance with zero runs allowed on the season. She has now thrown 7.2 consecutive scoreless innings after Wednesday’s midweek complete-game shutout win over Lindenwood. 

• Due to inclement weather in the area, Saturday’s game was moved up an hour to 1 p.m., CT.

UP NEXT

The Tigers nine-game homestand rolls on with two more against Ole Miss. First pitch for Sunday’s contest from Mizzou Softball Stadium is set for 3 p.m., CT.

Sunday and Monday’s games will be on SEC Network and feature Tiffany Greene and Erin Miller on the broadcast.

Head coach Larissa Anderson will be mic’d up in the finale as part of SEC Network’s Mic’d Up Monday.

Monday’s game will also be on the radio at KTGR (105.1 FM, 100.5 FM, 1580 AM) with Andy Humphrey on the call.

Sunday is Family Funday Sunday where fans can run the bases and receive postgame autographs. Monday is a Gold Rush. Fans in attendance can receive Monday Night Softball shirts and gold shakers, as supplies last.

Monday Missouri Governor Mike Parson will throw out the ceremonial first pitch ahead of Missouri’s finale with Ole Miss.