The Missouri softball team dropped its latest Southeastern Conference series to Kentucky last weekend, winning one game on Saturday but losing on Friday and Sunday. The team fought hard to come back in the two games it lost, but the Tigers unable to get the job done.
Having lost another SEC series, Missouri is now 6–9 in SEC play. If the Tigers want to do well in the SEC tournament in May, they’ll need to learn how to win close games. Here are three things that can help it do just that:
**Find cohesion**
The senior leaders have been helping Mizzou get on the same page ever since it dropped all three games in the Georgia series. When Missouri played Wichita State last Wednesday, coaches and supporters could tell that the players were on the same page. It was evident in the score of the doubleheader, 11–0 for the first game and 9–2 for the second, that the Tigers were together both offensively and defensively.
One could see that momentum a little bit in the series against Kentucky, but if the Tigers want to win more SEC games, they will have to be one team during every inning. That means knowing who will make the play, having confidence when at bat and, most importantly, supporting fellow teammates.
When the Tigers feel good about how they are playing, they will perform well. Learning how to play together is just as valuable as any batting or fielding practice.
**Follow the leaders**
Seniors Taylor Gadbois, Emily Crane and Sami Fagan are the ideal leaders for Missouri. All three have been here for at least four years and have gone through many seasons together.
They know when the team isn’t performing to its best ability and how to overcome that off the field. Their leadership, not to mention their athletic ability at the plate and in the field, is impressive. From Gadbois’ speed to Crane’s power hitting and Fagan’s intelligence in the infield, every player should look up to these three leaders’ example for athletic and moral support.
**Work on bunt defense**
Mizzou won the second game of the series against Kentucky 9–2, but the defense seemed a little shaky, especially when a Kentucky player bunted. When a batter would attempt to lay down a bunt, there were miscommunications among the players in terms of positioning.
If opposing teams can capitalize on that weakness, they will be able to get more runners in scoring position and, ultimately, get those runners across home plate. The good thing is that it is fixable with practice. Missouri needs to communicate and have those plays down in order to make the outs as quickly as possible.
_Edited by Alec Lewis | alewis@themaneater.com_
