KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee softball team won its rubber match with Missouri on Sunday, posting a 10-7 win to take two games in the three-game weekend series.
Tennessee got two runs in the bottom of the first, but Missouri tied it in the top of the second. But the bottom half of that frame was the decisive one, as the Vols pushed across six runs for an 8-2 lead.
Each team scored a run in the third, before Missouri made a game of it with a four-run top of the fifth to get within 9-7.
Tennessee closed out the scoring with a run in the bottom of the fifth.
Amanda Sanchez had a pair of hits, including a home run, and two RBI to lead Missouri on offense. Kelsea Roth had a two-run home run for the Tigers.
Also for Missouri, Taylor Gadbois and Angela Randazzo had two hits apiece and Jordan Zolman had one hit and one RBI.
Tori Finucane (9-5) took the loss in the circle, giving up eight earned runs in just 11/3 innings of work. She allowed five hits and walked five while striking out three.
Paige Lowary finished up, allowing two earned runs on four hits and two walks in 4 2/3 innings. She struck out five.
After Tennessee took Friday's game 10-7, Missouri bounced back to win 9-8 on Saturday.
In their victory, the Tigers used a six-run sixth to answer a six-run first for the Vols.
After Tennessee took its big early lead, Missouri started to chip away with one run int eh second and two in the fourth.
Tennessee added one in the fourth and one in the fifth to lead 8-3 before Missouri won it in the sixth.
Sami Fagan had two hits and three RBI for the Tigers, while Roth had three hits and one RBI. Also for the Tigers, Sanchez and Kayla Kingsley had one hit and one RBI apiece.
Lowary improved to 10-0 on the season by tossing 61/3 innings. She gave up eight earned runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out three. Finucane got the final two outs.
Missouri is now 20-5 overall and 4-2 in the Southeastern Conference, while Tennessee is 21-7 and 3-3.
Missouri plays a doubleheader against Illinois on Wednesday at Lindenwood University in St. Charles.