Mizzou prevails in slug fest with Mississippi State

STARKVILLE, Miss. (KMIZ)

Mizzou Softball has sent its series with No. 15 Mississippi State to a rubber match.

The Tigers (21-23) tagged the Bulldogs (32-11) for their second-most runs in a single game this season, recording a 12-8 win to even their three-game series. Saturday's game marked the most runs that Mississippi State has allowed in a contest this year.

Despite scoring just seven combined runs in its last five games, Mizzou nearly matched that total in the first two frames of Saturday's action. Taylor Ebbs began her 3-for-4 effort at the plate with a two-RBI double in the opening inning, giving the Tigers their first lead in this series. Abby Hay and Kayley Lenger also added to the team's streak of five unanswered runs, delivering an RBI single and solo home run respectively in the first and second frames.

However, Mississippi State erased MU's 5-0 lead in the home half of the second inning. After an RBI double from Ella Wesolowski, Sierra Sacco hit a game-tying grand slam to end a five-run frame for the Bulldogs. Wesolowski led Mississippi State's effort at the plate with a game-best four hits while Sacco finished with a team-high four-RBI afternoon.

MU ignited another rally to regain the advantage, though. Claire Cahalan supplied a spark with a go-ahead RBI single to begin the fourth inning. Then, Madison Walker capitalized on a bases loaded situation, crushing her team-leading 15th home run of the season to highlight her four-RBI day at the dish. Finally, Stefania Abruscato, one of four players to record a multi-hit performance for the Tigers, wrapped up a six-run inning with her second double of the game, extending Mizzou's lead to six runs.

Marissa McCann kept that lead safe for the remainder of her 5.2-inning start, which she surpassed 200 career innings in the circle. The sophomore right-hander was awarded the win, giving up six runs on eight hits with four strikeouts.

Nine different Tigers contributed to the team's 14-hit effort, guided by Ebbs, who also hit her eighth home run of the campaign in the sixth inning.

Up next - The Tigers will hunt for their first SEC series win of the season in game three of this series. First pitch for Sunday's rubber match is scheduled for April 13 at 1 p.m.