Mizzou softball falls just short of series win in extra innings against Ole Miss

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Mizzou softball team lost a heartbreaker to Ole Miss, 7-5, on Monday night. The Rebel win clinched the series and also put MU's opportunity for the team's first SEC series win of the season out of reach.

The game was a nail-biter from start to finish, as it included multiple lead changes, ties and extra innings at the Mizzou Softball Stadium. The Tigers and the Rebels were tied up at one run apiece headed into the fourth inning, but Ole Miss' Mya Stevenson hit a three-run home run to put her team up 4-1.

Julia Crenshaw responded when MU got the bats back. She lifted up her eighth home run of the season to cut the Tiger deficit to just two runs. Although Ole Miss plated one more runner to make it a 5-2 ball game, the Tigers made a comeback in the fifth inning, as Payton Jackson and Crenshaw both drove in runs to tie up the game.

The match up went all the way to the ninth inning, tied up at five, when Ole Miss' Kelia Kamoku hit a two-run home run to put the Rebels up 7-5. Mizzou could not respond at the bottom of the frame.

Pitcher Laurin Krings had a solid start in the circle for MU on Monday. She started with five strikeouts, but allowed four earned runs on seven hits.

Freshman pitcher Cierra Harrison put in work in relief, as well. She went about four innings with four strikeouts, but allowed the game-winning home run in the ninth inning.

Up next - Mizzou will continue its home stand and host rival Kansas on Wednesday at 6 p.m.