Senior Chelsea Thomas spread five hits and nine strikeouts over a complete game and led No. 7 Missouri (35-10, 15-8 Southeastern Conference) to shut out No. 4 Tennessee (44-10, 16-6 SEC) 3-0 in the SEC softball tournament semifinals.
“It was Chelsea Thomas’ day again,” Missouri coach Ehren Earleywine said. “Fourteen innings against the best hitting team in the conference and potentially the best hitting team in the nation, and she hasn’t given up a run.”
The Tigers advance to face No. 2 Florida at 8 p.m. Saturday in the championship game, being played in a rare double-header format because of rain delays earlier in the week.
The last time the two met in late February, Missouri pulled out a 4-3 win in 12 innings.
“I’m glad that our team is able to play in a championship,” Earlywine said, days after saying the SEC championship “was not on (the team’s) goal list.” “I’m proud of them.”
Both Missouri and Tennessee were scoreless until the top third, when senior catcher Jenna Marston doubled to left center, bringing in freshman second baseman Emily Crane and freshman right fielder Carlie Rose.
Then, in the top of the sixth, sophomore Kelsea Roth hit a solo home run to left center, her 14th of the season, extending the lead 3-0.
“(Marston) got the timely hit that we needed, the big double, the two-run double,” Earleywine said, “and really after that, it was ball game.”
The Tigers’ All-American in the circle continued to mow down the Volunteers, eventually preserving the shutout and Missouri’s third win this season in four tries over Tennessee.
“I felt pretty good today,” Thomas said. “My stuff was working pretty well. I had a little trouble with my changeup, but for the most part, it was working pretty well.”
Earleywine shelved senior Nicole Hudson in favor of Thomas, who has been plagued by fatigue all season long, on a day’s rest after Friday’s match was washed out by rain. The move seemingly paid off.
“Usually, it’s just someone who is either completely movement or just speed, and (Thomas) is just that rare combination,” Volunteer third baseman Raven Chavanne said.
Tennessee’s Ivy Renfroe matched her step-for-step with eight Ks and as many hits over the whole seven innings. The Tigers’ three earned runs off Renfroe proved the difference.
Florida handled Georgia 9-5 earlier Saturday to advance to the final, which will be broadcast nationally on ESPN. Rain delays pushed aside ESPNU broadcasts of both semifinal matches to make room for the NCAA lacrosse tournament.
