After falling short to South Florida in a midweek contest Wednesday, the Gators softball team headed on the road to compete in its fifth SEC series.
Despite Florida leading 3-2 through the first five innings, Missouri had an explosive sixth inning comeback.
The four-run frame is all the Tigers (32-10, 6-7 SEC) needed to defeat the Gators (34-8, 9-4 SEC) 6-3 at Mizzou Softball Stadium Friday.
Florida took an early lead in the top of the first inning. Redshirt senior shortstop Skylar Wallace walked and junior left-fielder Korbe Otis drove her home on a single down the right field line.
In the second inning, pitcher Ava Brown crushed her fifth SEC home run of her freshman campaign to extend the lead to 2-0.
Freshman right-handed pitcher Keagan Rothrock started strong in the circle, recording two strikeouts in the bottom half of the first.
Despite her early success, the Tigers threatened the Gators defense in the bottom of the second. With two runners on base, Rothrock recorded her second hit by pitch that drove the first run home.
Missouri senior shortstop Jenna Laird recorded a sacrifice fly to even the score to 2-2.
Florida’s offense responded immediately in the top of the third. Otis led off with a double to center field and junior third baseman Reagan Walsh drove her home to take back the lead 3-2.
Rothrock kept Missouri hitless through five innings, but fell apart in the Tigers' explosive sixth inning.
Next, Florida will compete in Game 2 Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
Contact Hailey Hurst at hhurst@alligator.org. Follow her on Twitter @haileyjhurst.
Hailey Hurst is a second-year journalism major with a focus in sports media and a sports reporter for The Alligator. In her free time, she enjoys going to the beach and cheering for Miami sports teams.
