Missouri Softball kicked off their fall season against Missouri State, beating them 11-3 in 10 innings. 

The Tigers rolled out six of the seven pitchers during the game. Cierra Harrison was the first pitcher, starting the Tigers off strong across the first two innings with no runs and a strikeout. Lilly Whitten followed up the next two innings, loading up the bases while allowing one hit and a run.

Taylor Pannell pitched the fifth and sixth inning and Jayci Kruse pitched in the 9th, allowing a run for Missouri State. Nathalie Touchet led the team with a pair of strikeouts in the 8th inning. Courtney Donahue pitched in the final, 10th inning.

Freshman Saniya Hill impressed with a hit and a stolen base. She was the 19th ranked player in the 2024 class per Extra Innings Softball. 

Fellow freshman Nevaeh Watkins laid down two bunts in the 6th and 7th inning and made an excellent diving catch. Madison Uptegrove made solid contact, sending a pitch off to center field in the 7th and another to right field in the 8th. 

Transfer Taylor Ebbs had a walk and two hard-hit balls, both being caught in the outfield. Haidyn Sokoloski from Oklahoma State had a flyout and a single, but was caught stealing a base.

Returning player Abby Hay smacked a home run in the 3rd, setting the score to 5-0. She gave the Tigers the initial lead, hitting a sacrifice in the 1st inning. Her hitting streak continued in the 4th as she made another hard-hit single. 

Senior Julia Crenshaw finished with a pair of hits including an RBI double in the 4th inning. 

Stefania Abruscato hit in the 5th, smacking a stand-up double and took third right before scoring for the Tigers. Claire Cahalan reached base three times while recording a stolen base. 

This season will be Larissa Anderson ’s sixth season at MU. During her time at MU, Anderson led the Tigers to a 217-115 record and owns a career record of 350-189-1 as head coach. 

Anderson’s Tigers continue their fall season on the road against UMKC at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 4. 

Edited by Dylan Heinrich | dheinrich@themaneater.com

Copyedited by Hannah Taylor | htaylor@themaneater.com

Edited by Emily Skidmore | eskidmore@themaneater.com