Mizzou seniors (l-r) Mya Dodge, Jayci Kruse, Kara Daly, Julia Crenshaw, and Taylor Ebbs were honored before Friday’s game. (Photo courtesy: Mizzou Athletics)
NCAA Softball
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#24 Georgia (30-18)
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Mizzou (24-30)
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WP: Randi Roelling – UGA (9-7) LP: Taylor Pannell – MIZ (5-9)
Paige Dale Staff Writer
COLUMBIA, MO — The University of Missouri women’s softball team was held to just three hits again in a matchup against No. 24-ranked Georgia.
But this time it wasn’t enough, as the Tigers could only muster two runs in what proved to be a 3-2 loss to the Lady Bulldogs.
Georgia got two hits apiece from four different players and another stellar pitching performance — this time from Randi Roelling — to hold off Missouri, which led early then nearly rallied late to tie the game.
Freshman shortstop Madison Uptegrove got the scoring going early, when she smashed her fourth home run of the season, with one out in the bottom of the second inning to give the Tigers the lead.
But Georgia answered with a run of its own in the top of the third to tie the game. The Lady Bulldogs then took the lead when they got two runs on three hits in the top of the fourth.
Mizzou got a run back in the bottom of the fourth, when Uptegrove led off with a walk then eventually scored on a wild pitch to make the score 3-2.
But that was as close as the Tigers would get.
Roelling (9-7) held Mizzou hitless over the final three innings and only allowed one runner to reach scoring position, which was Danielle Blackstun, who came in to pinch run for Taylor Ebbs, who drew a one-out walk.
Blackstun then stole second and advanced to third on a fly out. But that was as far as she would get, as Roelling got the final out of the inning on a strikeout.
Taylor Pannell (5-9) took the loss for Missouri. She went six innings and gave up the three Georgia runs on eight hits, with one walk and three strikeouts.
The loss dropped Mizzou’s record to 24-30 overall and 5-18 in Southeastern Conference play. Georgia is 30-18 overall and 7-15 in the conference.
The teams will play the rubber game of the series and the final game of the regular season on Saturday. First pitch at the Mizzou Softball Stadium is set for 1 p.m.
