Missouri softball swept through the Tracy Beard College Classic, staying undefeated in the early season with a 10-0 record. After last weekend’s tournament win, the NCAA ranked Missouri No. 15.  

The Tigers opened up against Texas A&M-Commerce in a duel where both teams threw  no-hitters. However, junior catcher Julia Crenshaw hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the first inning that would eventually prove to be the game winning run. 

Senior Jenna Laird walked to leadoff the game, then stole both second and third base to put the Tigers in prime scoring position. Sophomore Cierra Harrison twirled eight strikeouts to go along with the no-hitter. 

Missouri ended their Friday slate with a 4-3 win against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits. Batting first in this game, Laird got Missouri started with a single and advanced to second on a throwing error by Cheyanne Masterson, third baseman for South Dakota State. Laird moved up to third on a single from Alex Honnold, then scored on a sacrifice fly by Crenshaw. 

The Tigers added two more runs in the top of the fourth inning without needing a base hit due to an error, two walks, a hit-by-pitch and a fielder’s choice. Laird grounded into a fielder’s choice to bring in the fourth and final run for the Tigers. Senior pitcher Laurin Krings started the game, letting up five hits and two earned runs on five innings pitched. However, Krings struck out three and got the win to improve her record to 4-0 on the season. 

The first game on Saturday was a rematch of Missouri and South Dakota State, with the Jackrabbits looking for revenge. Missouri won the game 7-1. The Tigers scored one run in the bottom of the second, when Laird grounded into a fielder’s choice and senior Maddie Gallagher scored. Missouri played small ball in the third inning, scoring six runs on a combination of singles, walks and errors by South Dakota State. 

Sophomore pitcher Lilly Whitten had a few bumps in the road, letting up six hits. However, the Jackrabbits only scored one run. Whitten also added eight strikeouts. Missouri junior pitcher Jayci Kruse relieved Whitten and shut the door on South Dakota State. Kruse had one strikeout and let up one hit with no runs scored.       

Capping off Saturday’s schedule was a matchup against North Texas, where Missouri won 10-0. Harrison started this game, pitched six innings and struck out four batters. Sophomore pitcher Taylor Pannell relieved Harrison in the seventh inning and struck out two of the five batters she faced. On the offensive side, Gallagher shined bright. The senior finished a career best 4-for-4 with one run and one RBI. Crenshaw went 1-for-4 with three RBIs and freshman Stefania Abruscato added two RBIs of her own. 

Sunday morning saw a rematch of Missouri and North Texas in the final game of the tournament. The Tigers did not hold back in this game either, winning 11-2 by run-rule. Sophomore Kayley Lenger walked to leadoff the third inning, then Laird singled. Honnold doubled to score Lenger and advanced Laird to third base. Missouri went on to score three more runs in the third inning, then added seven more in the fourth. The game ended after the fifth inning because Missouri was winning by more than eight runs after five innings. The Tigers totalled 11 runs on 10 hits, outscoring North Texas 21-2 in the two games they played. 

Next up for the Tigers is the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic starting on Feb. 22 in Cathedral City, California. Missouri will face San Diego State, Wisconsin, Central Florida, California State Fullerton and Baylor.     

Edited by Michael Stamps

Copy Edited by Briana Iordan | biordan@themaneater.com

Edited by Scout Hudson | shudson@themaneater.com