Missouri’s hot start continues, now 10-0 this season
Everything is bigger in Texas, including the wins. Missouri softball swept the Tracy Beard College Classic with five wins, improving to 10-0 on the season.
The Tigers are off to their best start since 2009, where they began the season 12-0. Here are three reasons Missouri softball is fielding their best open in over a decade.
Taking care of business
During the NFCA Leadoff Classic, Missouri faced off against three teams who made the NCAA Tournament last year. Clemson made the Super Regionals, while Utah advanced all the way to the World Series.
These five wins ranked Missouri No.15 in the USA Softball Poll. The Tigers were favorites heading into the Tracy Beard College Classic, matching up against three teams who missed the NCAA Tournament last year. Prior to Missouri softball’s trip to Texas, head coach Larissa Anderson made sure the team was prepared for battle.
“What I say all the time is ‘The game doesn’t care who you’re playing,’” Anderson said in a press conference on Tuesday, Feb. 13. “We just control what we can control, and that’s what we focus on.”
Missouri took their coach’s message to heart, winning all five games by an average margin of 5.4 runs. This included a pair of wins over North Texas, where the Tigers outscored the host team 21-2.
“Winning’s fun,” Anderson said in a press conference on Tuesday, Feb. 20. “I think what’s really different about this team is their intent. They have unbelievable passion for the game and each other.”
Pitchers o’ plenty
A massive part of Missouri’s success has been its pitching. Senior and “Top Dog” Laurin Krings led the way, pitching eight innings and striking out six, while allowing only two runs this past weekend.
The shining star of the weekend was sophomore Cierra Harrison. In just her second start of the year, Harrison recorded her first career no-hitter in the 1-0 win against Texas A&M-Commerce. Harrison has started the year off strong, allowing no runs and four hits while striking out 13 in 21.1 innings.
“[Harrison] is understanding where the ball needs to go to get the result she needs to,” Anderson said. “She makes some really key pitches.”
The depth continues on the bump, including sophomore Lilly Whitten. After redshirting her freshman year to continue recovery from a high school injury, Whitten made her debut in the 7-1 win over the South Dakota State Jackrabbits. Whitten pitched six innings, allowing only one run while striking out eight batters.
“She hasn’t thrown competitively in three years,” Anderson said. “To have her go out and pitch as competitively as she did, that just adds to the depth of our bullpen.”
With key contributions from sophomore Taylor Pannell and freshman Marissa McCann, the Tigers rotation is filled to the brim with talent. Missouri has allowed three runs or fewer in all 10 games, including three shutouts.
“It takes the pressure off Laurin Krings and Cierra Harrison,” Anderson said.
Julia Crenshaw: Unsung hero
While pitching is a big part of defense, catching plays another massive role. Junior Julia Crenshaw served as the starting catcher for all 10 games, working with the wide array of Tiger pitchers.
“She was not born a catcher,” Anderson said. “She’s really taken it upon herself to understand her craft … She’s become extremely tough to steal on.”
In addition to the defensive end, Crenshaw has been a major contributor as a hitter. During the Tracy Beard College Classic, she racked up seven RBIs and three doubles.
While she is ranked in the bottom half of batting averages for Missouri’s starters at .259, Crenshaw comes up with big hits in big moments. This included a sacrifice fly to bring in a run against Texas A&M-Commerce, serving as the only scoring play in a game where neither team registered a hit.
What’s next?
Missouri hopes to continue their win streak as they travel to the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in California for the third consecutive season. The Mary Nutter tournament is stacked with talent, including seven teams ranked in the Feb. 19 USA Softball Poll. The games are played at stadiums replicated after historic MLB sites including Fenway Park, Wrigley Field and Yankee Stadium.
“The atmosphere is really cool,” Anderson said. “There’s large crowds because the competition is extremely high.”
The No. 13 ranked Tigers kick off the tournament on Thursday, Feb. 22, against San Diego State at 7 p.m.
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Edited by Scout Hudson | shudson@themaneater.com