Tiger softball defeats Tulsa, then falls to OU in regional championship

NORMAN, Okla. – Mizzou Softball (30-29) saw its 2018 campaign conclude Sunday after battling throughout four contests this weekend at the NCAA Norman Regional. The Tigers opened their day with a 6-5 triumph over Tulsa, but couldn’t stave off elimination for the third time in two days after falling 7-0 to No. 4 Oklahoma.

#ShowMe Top Performers (vs. Tulsa)

Lauren Rice: (W) 5.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 K
Braxton Burnside: 2-for-4, R, HR, 3 RBI
Brooke Wilmes: 3-for-3, RBI
Regan Nash: 3-for-4, R, 2B

#ShowMe Top Performers (vs. Oklahoma)

Madi Norman: 6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 4 K
Danielle Baumgartner: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R
Amanda Sanchez: 2-for-2

Hear From Coach Fogue

On Sunday’s matchups, 2018 season thoughts…
“Following our first-game loss Friday, we knew we’d be in a battle the rest of the weekend. I’m so proud of our group for showing so much fight these last three games and coming away with two victories. It was a theme for us all year long, as we continually fought until the end in each and every game. It was fitting that our season concluded that way too. While we’re obviously disappointed that we couldn’t advance to the Super Regional round, I’m still so proud of how we played hard and made postseason play. We have a lot of very talented pieces returning in 2019 and I’m excited for what’s in store in the future.”

#MIZ 2018 Season Takeaways

Following a 2-2 weekend in Norman, Mizzou’s all-time NCAA Regional record now stands at 45-26 (.634).
With its Sunday victory over Tulsa, the Tigers improved their all-time record against the Golden Hurricane to 6-1.
The Tigers simply mashed all weekend long at Marita Hynes Field, collectively hitting .324 (36-for-111) with 17 runs scored, four doubles, three home runs and 15 RBI.
Offensive balance was on display in Norman, as five everyday starters recorded a .300-plus average. Nash paved the way with an outstanding .643 (9-for-14) average, raising her season average from .294 to .321 over the final four games of the year.
Burnside (.417), Sanchez (.417) and Abby George (.400) also tallied impressive averages this weekend. Perhaps the biggest takeaway was George’s performance, as she tallied starts in centerfield the final three games of the season. Heading into NCAA Regional play, she only had one career start to her credit.
Mizzou’s offense was its selling point all year long, highlighted by 82 total doubles and 58 home runs. Those season totals rank eighth and ninth all-time in a single-season in program history, respectively.
Individually, Rylee Pierce turned-in a memorable defensive performance primarily at first base. On the year, Pierce recorded 470 putouts, ranking third-most all-time in a Mizzou single- season.
Sanchez delivered a typical strong season at the plate in 2018, leading the team in average (.374), home runs (12), RBI (37), slugging percentage (.671) and on-base percentage (.500).
The West Covina, California, native had an outstanding weekend at the NCAA Norman Regional, hitting .417 with a team-best two home runs and six RBI.
For her career, Sanchez’s 35 home runs ranks seventh all-time in program history, while her 141 RBI ranks ninth all-time.
This season, an incredible six individual Tigers finished with 10-plus doubles. Pierce led the way with 12, Wilmes tallied 11 and Sanchez, Cayla Kessinger, Burnside and Callie Martin finished with 10 apiece.— Mizzou Athletics —