By: Cole Locascio

COLUMBIA, Mo. – After dropping three straight games to Georgia in SEC play, Mizzou softball turned things around Wednesday in a doubleheader against Wichita State winning both games, 11-0 and 9-2 respectively.

Danielle Baumgartner received the start in the first game as she, along with Cheyenne Baxter, pitched a shutout in five innings due to the run rule.

The bats were on fire for the Tigers, as Mizzou recorded four home runs in the first game of the day from the bats of Kirsten Mack, Rylee Pierce, Emily Crane, and Chloe Rathburn. Rathburn’s home run brought up a bit of controversy though, as she hit a line drive to right-center and the ball somehow popped up and out of play over the outfield wall. Most thought it would be ruled a ground-rule double, but after a conversation between the umpires, the ruling was that the right fielder had popped the ball over the fence herself, and the call was changed to a home run.

The second game of the day had more of the same for the Tigers. Paige Lowary was starting on the mound for game two giving up just two runs through four innings on a fourth-inning home run. Tori Finucane then came in for two scoreless innings of work before Baumgartner made her second appearance of the day to close out a perfect seventh inning.

For the bats, a big second inning at the plate set the tone for the rest of the game, as Mizzou scored four runs in the inning. Kirsten Mack also added to the fun by knocking her second home run of the day in the third inning.

Following the doubleheader wins, Mizzou’s record improved to 28-10 on the year. They will travel to Lexington, Ky. Friday to start a series against the No. 12-ranked Kentucky Wildcats.

Photo credit: The Maneater