It may have been a necessary lump to take.
No. 15 Missouri softball opened its three-game series against No. 3 Florida on Friday night and held the Gators in check for most of the Southeastern Conference duel.
Missouri starting pitcher Jordan Weber had one of her best starts in SEC play, throwing 110 pitches in 5 2/3 innings.
As Weber loaded the bases in the sixth by walking Florida's Julia Cottrill, Tigers head coach Larissa Anderson sensed Weber had given all she had. Anderson went to the bullpen for Emma Nichols, her trusted closer.
Nichols gave up a two-run single, then a three-run homer to the first two Florida batters she faced inside the circle.