March 7, 2015
COLUMBIA, S.C. – No. 21/20 Missouri (11-3, 1-0 SEC) posted all four of its runs with two outs, helping the Tigers take a 4-2 win in the Southeastern Conference opener against South Carolina (17-6, 0-1 SEC) on Saturday afternoon at Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field.
The Tigers’ last offensive blow came in the fifth when Kirsten Mack lined a pitch to center that just cleared the wall with a runner on to put Missouri on top 4-2. Setting up the two-run blast, Corrin Genovese kept the inning alive with a two-out, 0-2 hit up the middle and stole second before taking third on the throw that got away from the Gamecocks.
Missouri scored runs in the second and third on two-out hits by Kelsea Roth and Genovese. South Carolina tied the contest in the bottom of the third on a fielder’s choice to right by junior left fielder Alaynie Page and a double by junior third baseman Jordan Bizzell, with Page scoring from first on Bizzell’s hit.
Missouri freshman Paige Lowary (7-0) picked up the complete-game win, scattering four hits and two walks while giving up two unearned runs. She struck out five. Gamecock sophomore Nickie Blue (8-3) picked up the loss in the complete-game effort, allowing four earned runs on nine hits and a walk while fanning three.
Game Changer:
Genovese’s two-out hit in the fifth opened the door for Missouri, and her advancement to third put the pressure on the Gamecocks, giving Mack the chance to make the big hit.
Key Stat:
Six of Missouri’s nine hits came with two outs, including all four runs scoring with two down.
Notables:
• Genovese went 3-for-4, stealing two bases, scoring a run and driving home another.
• All four Gamecock hits went for doubles, by Bizzell, Page, senior catcher Sarah Mooney and redshirt sophomore second baseman Lauren Masters.
• Missouri’s Angela Randazzo also recorded a double in the game.
Tweet of the Game:
What a catch by @NickieBlueski33!!! No time to think about that one. #SCTopTen @SportsCenter @GamecockSoftbll
— Austin Solheim (@ajsolheim) March 7, 2015
Up Next:
The Gamecocks and Tigers tangle on Sunday night at 6 p.m. EDT, with the SEC Network broadcasting the second contest of the three-game series.
