Mizzou softball drops game one of final series

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A late rally from the Tigers fell short, as Mizzou drops its first contest of the weekend against No. 8 Tennessee, 3-1.

The Volunteers got their leadoff batter aboard, but a stout defensive play from Kayley Lenger and Stefania Abruscato helped swing the momentum to the home side. After a base hit, Lenger sne ta lazer to home to prevent a run from scoring, and Abruscato sent one right back to second to catch Alannah Leach from grabbing an extra bag.

The score would stay tied at 0-0 through the first four innings of play, but the Vols found a rhythm in the fifth. A pair of base hits put runners in scoring position for Tennessee's Makenzie Butt, who capitalized and brought both home for the first scores of the game.

They extended their lead to three at the start of the sixth with a lead off solo home run from Alannah Leach. But despite Tennessee's volume hitting, they couldn't get any more scores in thanks to that tough Mizzou defense.

Stefania Abruscato stepped back up on the other side of the ball, slamming a home run over the outfield berm to answer back and pull the team within two.

In the seventh, Gracie Britton and Linny Ramsey came in to pinch hit, and both got aboard on a pair of singles. With the help of a sacrifice bunt from Kayley Lenger, both were moved to scoring position with just a single out. But Tennesse's pitching was able to stop the run in its tracks, holding on to take the win in game one.

Up Next - Mizzou will face No. 8 Tennessee for game two of the series on Senior Day. First pitch for the game is scheduled for 6 p.m.