Karlyn Pickens shines, Mizzou drops Game 1 against No. 9 Lady Vols

Harrison started strong but struggled to make it late into the game, allowing two runs in the fifth and one run in the sixth. She finished allowing eight hits, two earned runs and three strikeouts through five innings.

The highlight of the day for Mizzou was a solo shot from Stefania Abruscato to lead off the sixth inning. Other than the run during the sixth, MU really struggled to find much offense.

The Tigers put on the pressure early following three walks in the first on Mardjetko — something that isn’t typical of one of the top pitchers in the country. Following the third walk, the Lady Vols elected to replace Mardjetko with Pickens. Saniya Hill was in a two-out bases loaded opportunity but flied out at the warning track. Despite leaving three runners on base, Hill was pumped.

“I think it’s pretty remarkable that we knocked out their starter in the first inning,” Anderson said. “(Hill’s) energy, I mean, she has such a spark and can carry that positive energy that’s going to influence everyone else to believe that they can do it.”

Pickens shut the door all game allowing just four hits, one walks and one earned runs over 6.1 innings. She also pitched five straight strikeouts during the fourth and fifth frame.

In what started as a clear sky quickly turned into rain clouds and the game was put on a rain delay just 10 pitches into the game. The delay lasted about 30 minutes but thanks to quick work from the equipment crew, the game was up and running fast.

Pickens, who is known for her speed, was throwing mid 70s against the Tigers.

“I mean we faced one of the best pitchers in the world,” Anderson said. “That’s how good Pickens is. We got beat with good movement.”

Mizzou put itself in another good spot with two on and none out in the bottom of the third, but failed to bring in any runs which seemed to be the story of the Tigers’ life this game.

It wasn’t till the fifth inning where a run was scored. In what was Tennessee’s first pinch hit of the game, Makenzie Butt hit a two RBI single to put the Lady Vols on the board.

The wheels seemed to be falling off when Harrison allowed a lead-off homer to Alannah Leach in the top of the sixth. After two more got on base, Anderson elected to make the switch to Abby Carr in the circle. She made quick work of the inning with a double play then a Abruscato defensive play at the plate for the final out. The freshman finished the game allowing two hits and zero runs through two innings coming in for relief.

The Tigers knocked on the door in the bottom of the seventh with two-on and none out but failed to find the last hit.

Mizzou (27-27, 8-14 SEC) will look for revenge in Game 2 of the series against No. 9 Tennessee (41-8, 15-7) at 6 p.m. Friday at Mizzou Softball Stadium.