Mizzou softball secures comeback win to close out regular season

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Tigers picked up a crucial win on the final day of the regular season, beating No. 8 Tennessee 4-3.

Entering game three against the Volunteers, head coach Larissa Anderson and company needed two wins to secure a spot in the post season. A win would mean they need just one more victory in the conference tournament.

Mizzou fell behind in the first inning 1-0, but strung together several hits to threaten Tennessee, but wasn't able to tie the game. The Vols doubled that advantage on a solo home run in the top of the fourth by Elsa Morrison.

Despite dropping behind early, the Tigers rallied together to fight for that regional spot. Linny Ramsey came home on a wild pitch just a half inning later to get the deficit back to one. The very next time at the plate, Columbia native Abby Hay tied the game on a huge home run over the wall in left field. The long ball was also the 100th hit for the junior in her collegiate career.

Tennessee jumped at a chance to pull in front again, but only brought in a single run, which proved to be not enough just a few outs later. In the bottom of the fifth, Abby Carr drilled a base hit to right field to score Addy Waits from second, and thanks to an error by the right fielder, Stefania Abruscato had enough time to come in and score from first and give the Tigers their first lead of the game.

After bringing home the go-ahead run, Carr walked right back into the circle, and secured three consecutive outs to preserve the lead and pick up the win for the Tigers, and the 400th career victory for head coach Larissa Anderson.

You can watch the full press conference with coach Anderson, Abby Carr, and Abby Hay, in the video player above.

Mizzou's final regular season home game was capped off by the team's four seniors getting carried out to a ladder in center field, and scaling the wall to pick out a rock from the 'M' on the outfield berm.

Up Next - The Tigers travel to Lexington, Kentucky to face Auburn in the opening round of the conference tournament. First pitch for the game is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5.