Softball, baseball split weekend series against ranked conference opponents

It’s been a somewhat disappointing season for both baseball and softball in terms of overall record, but you’d never know it looking at their recent outcomes against some very good opponents.

For the softball program, it was tough sledding early on for Larissa Anderson’s first squad. An 11-8 start in non-conference play was brought all the way down to .500 after a three-game sweep at the hands of Alabama in early March. Since then, however, the Tigers are 6-3, with all six of their wins coming against schools ranked in the Top 15 nationally. It all culminated Sunday, when Anderson got her first career win over a Top 5 program.

Mizzou looked to be in control headed into the bottom of the fifth, as the Tigers held a 4-1 lead. The solo shot from [sophomore 3B Kimberly] Wert looked like icing on the cake, but it proved to be the winning run for the Black & Gold.

Tennessee would get three runs in the top of the sixth inning, closing the gap to just one run. Mizzou would not score in the bottom of the sixth, but Daniel would earn the save by retiring three of the four batters she faced in the top of the seventh.

Technically, the series isn’t a split, and the Tigers will have a chance to win it outright tonight in Columbia.

On the baseball side, Steve Beiser’s squad was going for its second straight series win against a ranked SEC opponent. The Tigers eked out a win in 15 innings against Texas A&M on Saturday and once again needed extra innings Sunday to... tie?

Due to travel restrictions on getaway day at Blue Bell Park, Mizzou Baseball (18-10-1, 3-5-1 SEC) and No. 11 Texas A&M played to a 2-2 tie. The weekend series in The Lone Star State ended in a 1-1-1 split... Sunday was Mizzou’s first game to result in a tie in 15 years.

Laaaaaaame. There’s no such thing as tying in baseball, and it’s a disservice to all sides that the teams couldn’t play it out. Mizzou got an outstanding effort from TJ Sikkema, who is following up his sophomore “slump” campaign with a major bounce back year. He’s pitched 42 innings — six starts and three relief appearances — and sports a 1.05 ERA, having yet to give up a home run.

The Tigers will be back in action this week against cross-state rivals Saint Louis. It’s the first of five games they’ll play at home this week, including a weekend visit from Kentucky. Go support your team if you live in the area!

Yesterday at Rock M

• Weekend Recap: Missouri baseball splits series against Texas A&M

More Links:

• Mitchell Forde resets Missouri’s spring football with a recap of the biggest storylines and questions.
• One of Missouri football’s top targets in the 2020 class has scheduled an official visit to Columbia this summer:

• In more recruiting news, the Tigers are reaching out to a versatile talent. His tape has racked up quite a few views, and may be worth your time this Monday morning.
• Finally, Mizzou alumni Keion Bell apparently has a burgeoning R&B and rap career?

He wears his Mizzou letterman’s jacket in some of his music videos too! (Yes, we really are in the dead season!)