Wert Breaks Home Run Record As Tigers Pick Up SEC Win

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Fifth year senior Kimberly Wert crushed the 48th home run of her career in the bottom of the fifth inning to take sole possession of the all-time Mizzou home run record. Wert went 3-for-3 on the night with two RBI, leading the Tigers (20-13, 1-5 SEC) to a 4-2 win over South Carolina (18-15, 2-8 SEC).

Laurin Krings went all seven innings while allowing only four hits, picking up her 10th win of the year. The only blemish on the night was a two-run home run in the top of the third. She struck out nine batters on the night.

In the bottom of the first, Kimberly Wert put Mizzou out in front. With the bases loaded and nobody out, Wert lined a single into right field to make it 1-0 for the Tigers.

The Gamecocks took the lead in the top of the third. A two-out walk kept the inning alive before Fabian drove a two-run home run over the right-center wall to make it 2-1 for South Carolina.

Mizzou reclaimed the lead with a two-out rally in the bottom half of the inning. Kimberly Wert singled to right field and Kara Daly walked to put two runners on base. Alex Honnold hit a grounder back up the middle that was deflected by the pitcher. The throw to first was offline, allowing both runs to score. Replay upheld the ruling on the field, putting the score at 3-2 for The Tigers.

South Carolina threatened in the top of the fourth. Krings got the first batter of the inning to strikeout, but the ball got away from Moore behind the plate. After a pair of one-out singles, Laurin Krings got each of the next two batters to strike out, leaving the bases loaded.

Kimberly Wert’s record breaking home run came in the bottom of the fifth with one out. Wert drove a 1-0 pitch over the right-center field wall, putting the score at 4-2, where it would remain.

NOTES

Kimberly Wert passed Jen Bruck to take over the top spot on the Mizzou home run list with the 48th of her career. Wert also passed Bruck on the Mizzou RBI list, moving into a tie for ninth with 139 RBI.

Wert went 3-for-3 on the evening with two RBI. The contest marked her sixth, three-hit game over her Mizzou career.

Laurin Krings tossed her eighth complete game of the season while picking up her 10th win. She is the first Mizzou pitcher with back-to-back seasons with double-digit wins since 2016.

Kendyll Bailey has reached base safely in nine-straight games.

The Tigers picked up their first SEC win of the season while snapping a four-game losing streak.

Mizzou has won six of their last seven meetings against South Carolina. The Tigers lead the all-time series 12-9.

UP NEXT

First pitch for game two of the series is set for 4 p.m. on Saturday afternoon at Mizzou Softball Stadium. The game will stream on SEC Network+ with Ben Arnet on the call.

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