ORLANDO, Fla. – Despite an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first, the Elon University softball suffered a defeat at the hands of 13th-ranked Missouri, 9-2, in the Phoenix’s second game at the Citrus Classic on Friday evening, Feb. 19, at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
The Phoenix (4-3) had six hits for the day, but also a season-high four errors. Carey Million was 2-for-3 at the plate for Elon against the Tigers (2-0) with a RBI and a double. Four other players had one hit for the maroon and gold.
Abby Barker (0-2) took the loss for Elon in the circle. The rookie went 3.2 innings with six hits and six runs, five earned, allowed. Kiandra Mitchum pitched 2.1 innings in relief and allowed three runs on three hits, but only one earned.
The Rundown: Elon opened the contest with two runs on two outs in the top of the first. Kara Shutt and Emily Roper both reached on back-to-back singles up the middle before Million drove in Shutt on an RBI double to left center. An throwing error by the center fielder led to Roper also crossing home plate before Million was thrown out trying to advance to third.
Mizzou answered to tie the game in the bottom half. Amanda Sanchez hit a shallow two-out, two-RBI single to left that knotted the game at 2-2 after the first.
The Tigers took the lead in the bottom of the third inning. Mizzou’s Kirsten Mack was walked with one out and moved to second on a passed ball. She eventually scored on a two-out RBI single by Kylee Pierce as Elon trailed Missouri, 3-2 at the end of the third.
Missouri broke the game open with a big six-run bottom of the fourth. A couple of Phoenix fielding miscues led to the Tigers scoring three unearned runs in the inning. That Phoenix was unable to get any closer as Missouri held on for the 9-2 victory.
Notes of Interest: Each of Elon’s losses this season have come against a top-15 opponent (Two versus No. 12 Georgia and No. 13 Missouri).
On Deck
Elon is back in action tomorrow, Feb. 20, at the Citrus Classic with a pair of games versus Omaha at 11 a.m. and versus No. 1 Florida at 3:30 p.m.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Elon 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 6 4
Mizzou 2 0 1 6 0 0 X 9 9 1
Win – Baumgartner (1-0).
Loss – Barker, Abby (0-2).
Save – None.
WP – Mitchum, K.; Baumgartner. PB – Million, C. 2. Inherited runners/scored: Mitchum, K. 1/1. Pitches/strikes: Barker, Abby 71/31; Mitchum, K. 49/27; Baumgartner 87/53.
Umpires – HP: Eric Salgado 1B: Danny Bowers 3B: Ray Mora
Start: 6:45 Time: 1:50 Attendance: 112
Weather: 67, Cloudy