The Tigers started red hot thanks to an array of depth across the roster.
Collegiate softball is back, as Missouri opened their season 5-0 at the NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic in Clearwater, Florida. This success came from the depth of the roster, with nine hitters and three pitchers making significant winning plays.
Missouri (4) – No. 13/16 Utah (3)
Missouri opened its season with an upset victory over Utah.
The Utes snagged the first lead with an RBI single in the bottom of the first inning.
The Tigers wasted no time tying up the game, as junior catcher Julie Crenshaw started the second inning with a leadoff double. After two straight outs, senior outfielder Chantice Phillips knocked a base hit to bring in Crenshaw and tie the game at 1-1.
It remained even until the fifth, when Utah retook the lead. The Utes had two on base to start the inning, eventually bringing across one run with a fielder’s choice.
Missouri responded once again, as junior infielder Kara Daly rocked a triple to start the sixth inning. After two consecutive outs, sophomore infielder Katie Chester sneaked through a single to tie the game at 2-2.
Senior infielder Maddie Gallagher started the seventh with a single for the Tigers on a full-count pitch. Senior shortstop Jenna Laird brought her home with a double to left-center field, giving Missouri its first lead of the game. The Tigers continued the offensive attack, as senior outfielder Alex Honnold https://mutigers.com/boxscore.aspx?id=27621&path=softball.
Utah refused to go away, with two one-out singles to start the inning. Graduate Julia Jimenez doubled to cut the deficit to one, placing two runners in scoring position with two outs. Missouri senior pitcher Laurin Krings kept her composure, striking out the final batter to complete the upset.
Krings went the distance, pitching seven innings while allowing three runs and 10 hits and striking out four batters.
Laird impressed in the start to her final year with two hits, one run, one RBI and a stolen base.
Missouri (13) – North Carolina State (0), 5 Innings
The Tigers’ second outing was a bit more lopsided, as Missouri outclassed North Carolina State 13-0. The Tigers started slow, with only one run in the first two innings. The earliest highlight came on a triple from junior transfer Mya Dodge to bring in Daly.
The Tigers offense exploded shortly after, with 12 runs in three innings. This included a two-run home run from freshman infielder Madison Walker — the first of her collegiate career.
After shutting out the Wolfpack in the bottom half, the Tigers were able to emerge victorious on a run-rule in only five innings.
Walker impressed with three RBIs coming off a pair of hits.
On the pitching end, sophomore Cierra Harrison bulldozed batters in her first appearance. Harrison allowed only one hit and two walks in four innings pitched. This game also served as the debut of freshman pitcher Marissa McCann, who gave up no base runners and racked up her first career strikeout to close out the win.
Missouri (10) – Liberty (1), 5 Innings
Missouri’s success continued into Saturday with a 10-1 dismantling of the Liberty Flames in five innings. It was part of a triple header of live collegiate softball games on the MLB Network, the first in history.
The Tigers started quick, with a two-run homer from Honnold in the first inning. Missouri added another two runs in the second inning, highlighted by an RBI double from Gallagher.
The Tigers didn’t stop there, scoring six runs in the third inning. The play to remember came from Dodge with a two-run shot of her own.
While Liberty scored one run in the fourth, Krings shut them down on the mound to secure the win.
Krings allowed only one run on four hits during five innings of action, while striking out 10 batters.
Honnold led the team on the batting side with two hits and 4 RBIs along with a walk, reaching on all three plate appearances.
Missouri (6) – South Alabama (3)
McCann made her first career start against South Alabama. The freshman pitcher struggled, giving up three runs on four hits in three innings while also striking out five batters. These three runs put the Tigers in a hole entering the fourth inning.
Missouri put together a pair of runs in the fourth on a home run from Daly. The Tigers tied it up in the sixth, as Honnold scored on a wild pitch after a single to lead off the inning.
Missouri exploded with three runs in the top of the seventh, including another two-run shot from Daly.
Harrison came in relief for the final four innings, allowing no runs and only one hit to lock down the victory.
Daly was the top Tiger hitter, with two home runs and four RBIs to lead the come-from-behind victory.
Missouri (4) – No. 5/7 Clemson (1)
The Tigers started fast, with three runs in the first inning. Laird led off the inning with a triple, which Honnold immediately followed up with an RBI double. Crenshaw and Chester both added singles to drive in runs in the opening frame.
Honnold extended the lead to 4-0 in the second inning off a groundout to bring in Gallagher.
Clemson added one run in the fifth, but that’s all the team could manage.
Krings shut down the No.5/7 team on the mound, allowing only one run and striking out six batters.
Honnold was the superstar in the batter’s box, with two RBIs on two hits.
After the 5-0 start, the Tigers will likely be ranked in the top 25 polls this week. Next stop this year is the Tracy Beard Classic in Denton, Texas from Feb. 16-18.
Edited by Michael Stamps
Copy edited by Grace Knight | gknight@themaneater.com
Edited by Scout Hudson | shudson@themaneater.com