Behind another stellar outing from Keagan Rothrock, No. 8 Florida beat Missouri 5-2 on Monday at Katie Seashold Pressly Stadium to cap off a competitive three-game series to start Southeastern Conference play.
Rothrock earned all three wins against the Tigers, marking the first time a pitcher has been credited with all three games in an SEC series since Hannah Rodgers of Ole Miss in 2011. Rothrock held the Tigers to just four hits Monday, backed by an impenetrable defense behind her.
Missouri’s only runs came in the seventh inning, which proved to be too late for the Tigers. Sidney Forrester worked a walk before an Abby Hay double set up two runners in scoring position. Freshman two-way player Abby Carr capitalized, delivering a single that sent home two runners, giving Mizzou its only runs of the day.
Florida opened its own scoring in the second inning when Jocelyn Erickson took advantage of loaded bases, hitting a two-RBI single that would become a three-run play after a fielding error from center field.
The Gators extended the lead in the fourth inning, as Taylor Shumaker hit a two-run bomb to push the lead to 5-0. The home run marked the 60th home run for Florida on the season.
Erickson continued her hot season at the plate, extending her hitting streak to 11 as she batted 3-4 in the game.
Starting in the circle for the Tigers, Marissa McCann allowed four earned runs and six hits in four innings. In relief, Courtney Donahue and Rylee Michalak followed with two scoreless innings.
Despite the loss, Missouri remained competitive against one of the most explosive offenses in the nation. The Tigers move to 7-16 on the season and start SEC play 0-3.
Mizzou will return to Columbia to play against UT Martin at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.