The Missouri Tigers celebrate with Sophie Smith after her first career grand slam helped lead the team to a win over Ole Miss on Monday. (Photo courtesy: Mizzou Athletics)
NCAA Softball
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
Missouri (19-18, 2-7)
6
1
0
0
2
0
0
9
7
0
#21 Ole Miss (28-7, 5-4)
0
5
0
0
0
0
0
5
13
4
WP: Cierra Harrison – MIZ (8-5) LP: Miali Guachino – MISS (12-6) SV: Nathalie Touchet (2)
Paige Dale Staff Writer
OXFORD, MS — Freshman second baseman Sophie Smith had two hits, five runs batted in, including her first career grand slam to lead the University of Missouri women’s softball team to a 9-5 victory over No. 21-ranked Mississippi, in an SEC league game, Monday night at Ole Miss Softball Stadium.
Smith, who became a full-time starter 10 days ago, launched her first career home run in the bottom of the first inning. And it came with the bases loaded to give Missouri a 6-0 lead in a game it desperately needed after losing the first two to Ole Miss.
The blast energized the entire Mizzou team, as everyone in uniform and even a couple who weren’t came flying out of the dugout to celebrate with Smith after she circled the bases following her first home run as a college player.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1906848920602575256
The Tigers added another run in the second inning and led 7-0. But Ole Miss rallied in the bottom half and scored five times to make it 7-5.
The Rebels even had a chance to take the lead, but Mizzou pitcher Cierra Harrison, who came in to relieve starter Marissa McCann, got the final out and helped the Tigers maintain their lead.
Ole Miss had another scoring chance in the fourth, when it had runners on first and second with two outs. First baseman Persy Llamas singled to left on a play that should’ve scored Lair Beautae. But teammate Aaliyah Binford was thrown out at third for the final out and the tag was made before Beautae touched home plate, so the run she would’ve scored didn’t count.
Mizzou junior Cierra Harrison pitched 3 2/3 innings of relief to get the win on Monday. (Photo: Thomas Grove)
Mizzou went back to work in the top of the fifth and added two more runs. Smith singled home Abby Wilhelm, and then pinch hitter Mya Dodge lined a single up the middle to score Madison Uptegrove for what proved to be the final run of the game.
Harrison (8-5) got the win in the circle, after pitching 3 2/3 innings and allowing zero runs, though she gave up seven hits and a walk. She also hit a batter, but struck out two.
Teammate Nathalie Touchet pitched the final 1 2/3 innings to get the save. It was her second of the season.
Mizzou (19-18) will begin a five-game homestand on Wednesday, when it hosts in-state rival Missouri State for a non-conference game at Taylor Stadium. First pitch that night is set for 5 p.m., and the game will be streamed live on SEC Network+.
The weekend, the Tigers will host a three-game set against No. 1-ranked Texas.
