COLUMBIA, S.C. – No. 17/20 Mizzou Softball trailed by four runs at the end of the second inning, but the Tigers piled on 13-unanswered runs to take the 13-4 victory in six innings over South Carolina.
The Gamecocks were able to strike early, immediately getting two runners in scoring position. A single through the left side scored the first run for Carolina, but it was followed by a three-run home run to put the score at 4-0 after the bottom of the first.
After neither team was able to get anything going in the second, the Tigers woke up in the top-half of the third. Jenna Laird got the Tigers started with a double off the left-center field wall that was within inches of going over the wall. Hatti Moore then doubled to left as well, though Laird was only able to move over to third due to how hard the ball was hit and its proximity to the left fielder.
The Gamecocks did not want to let Kimberly Wert have a turn with runners in scoring position, so she was intentionally walked to load the bases, and bring Casidy Chaumont to the plate. Chaumont delivered a three-run triple into the right-center field gap to take a big chunk of the lead.
Casidy Chaumont was then able to score on a wild pitch to tie the game up at four runs apiece. Still, the Tigers were not done in the inning. An Emma Raabe walk and a Kendyll Bailey singe put two one and Abby George ripped a single down the line to give Mizzou the lead and set a new career-high with five RBIs on the season.
The Gamecocks were able to get two runners on with only one out, but a double play on a fielder’s choice to shortstop in which the Tigers caught the runner at third a bit too far off the bag ended the inning.
TURNING POINT
Looking to extend the lead, the Tigers got right to work. Jenna Laird led off the inning with an infield single to first base, hustling down the line to just beat the fielder to the bad. Hatti Moore then singled back up the middle to score Laird from second after she had advanced on a passed ball. Kimberly Wert smashed single off the pitcher’s glove to put runners on the corners. Casidy Chaumont grounded out to the pitcher to score another run, putting the score at 7-4 for the Tigers. A Kendyll Bailey sacrifice fly put another on the board for Mizzou before the top of the fourth.
The Tigers got another quick start in the fifth inning with a Brooke Wilmes solo blast to right field, her sixth of the season and the 20th of her career. Jenna Laird and Hatti Moore singled before a Kimberly Wert fielder’s choice scored one and added another on a throwing error by the catcher.
Leading 11-4 entering the sixth, Mizzou needed at least one run to get the run-rule in order. The Tigers immediately loaded the bases and Jenna Laird came through once again. The freshman smacked a single through the left side to bring home two runs, putting the score at 13-4.
TOP TIGERS
Jenna Laird had a massive day for the Tigers. The freshman went 4-for-5 at the plate in her first-career four hit game. Laird added a double, two runs driven in and three runs scored.
Hatti Moore went 3-for-4 at the plate with a walk. The senior catcher added a double one run driven in and three runs scored.
Casidy Chaumont had four RBIs on the night, most of which came on a clutch three-run triple in the third inning.
NOTES
Abby George has set a new single-season high for RBIs in a season with five.
Casidy Chaumont set a new career-high with four runs driven in.
Jenna Laird added her 12th multi-hit game of the season and her first four-hit game.
The Tigers tied a season-high with eight walks in the contest.
Mizzou run-ruled an SEC opponent for the first time since 2019 and only the second time since 2015.
UP NEXT
The Tigers will take on South Carolina at 5 pm CT on Friday on SEC Network plus.
