In what felt like a poetic finish, Mizzou Softball fell short once again against ranked Florida, this time 5-4 in 11 innings, to clinch the series for the Gators. The poetry was the final hit that allowed star outfielder Taylor Shumaker to reach home plate for the game-winning run in the bottom of the 11th. The game-winning hit came from Mizzou’s home run leader from just a year ago: Madison Walker.
Walker transferred to Florida this past offseason and was just 1-for-5 at the plate, but the one hit
was the one that really mattered.
Despite Walker stealing the show, two-way freshman Abby Carr had another strong performance. Coming in at the start of the fifth inning, I’m almost positive Carr wasn’t expecting to pitch almost an entire game. She pitched 6.2 innings and allowed just two runs.
Against a top 10 team, the Tigers fought. After going down 2-0 in the bottom of the second frame, Mizzou instantly responded with three solo home runs in four at bats from Kayley Lenger, Sidney Forrester and Abby Hay.
After the homers, Florida brought in Olivia Miller who dominated, pitching 7.1 innings and allowing just five hits and zero runs.
After leading 3-2 for three full innings, the Gators cracked the seal in the bottom of the seventh with a gut-wrenching massive solo home run — it landed across the street and almost hit a moving car — from Jocelyn Erickson to tie the game at three runs apiece.
The defensive battle continued for three more full innings until Walker’s strike in the seventh. Despite the scoreless frames, both teams racked up plenty of hits. Stefania Abruscato and Madison Uptegrove led the Tigers with a pair of hits a piece.
Plenty of hits means a plethora of runners were left on base for both teams with Florida stranding 14 runners and Mizzou stranding 12. A bunch of missed opportunities that I’m sure the Tigers wish they capitalized on.
If there was one thing Mizzou did right, it was defense. Freshman Addy Waits, despite having early season struggles, has fought her way back into the starting lineup and proved why she belonged there with multiple key defensive plays the get Mizzou out of tough spots like this one.
Adi Koller robbed Madison Walker of a game-winning hit in the bottom of the ninth and Sophie Smith had a clutch double play in the 10th. Consistency on the defensive side is a strong trait, it’s just a matter of if the offense can get going.
The Tigers (7-15, 0-2 SEC) are back in action for the final game of the series against ranked Florida with a Monday night first pitch set for 6 p.m. in Gainesville. Stay tuned to Rock M Nation here and on twitter/x for all the action.
