Mizzou suffers pair of heartbreaking losses against Texas A&M

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Mizzou Softball's series-opening doubleheader with No. 1 Texas A&M ended in heart-wrenching fashion.

The Tigers (22-26) fell just short of completing comebacks in both contests against the Aggies (39-5), losing the first game 7-5 before falling 4-3 in extra innings to wrap up Thursday's twin bill.

Madison Walker was the catalyst of both comeback bids. MU's sophomore third baseman delivered a go-ahead grand slam in game one to erase a three-run deficit in the sixth inning. Then, Walker added a two-out, game-tying two-RBI single in the nightcap to force extra innings.

Overall, the Kansas native finished Thursday's action 2-for-7 with 6 RBI's and her team-leading 16th home run of the season. Walker currently owns the 16th-most home runs in the nation.

However, MU was unable to hold off the top-ranked team in the country in each outing. Texas A&M rallied to record a three-run seventh inning in the series opener, courtesy of a pair of run-scoring doubles from Koko Wooley and Allie Enright. Then, Amari Harper hit a go-ahead solo home run in the ninth inning of the second contest, which was the eventual game-deciding run.

Collectively, the Tigers tallied just nine hits across both games. Abby Hay posted the team's only multi-hit performance in either contest, going 2-for-3 with an RBI double in game two.

Marissa McCann and Taylor Pannell each were effective in the circle. McCann pitched 4.2 innings out of the bullpen in the series opener, allowing four runs on six hits with four strikeouts. Pannell, the NCAA's active career saves leader, tossed 8.1 innings on 118 pitches, giving up four runs on eight hits with a trio of strikeouts in the second effort.

Up next - Mizzou will strive to avoid a sweep in Friday's series finale against Texas A&M at 12 p.m.