Missouri softball coach Ehren Earleywine is simply “a fan” of his team’s season at this point. The Tigers (38–12, 13–9 SEC) won another game Friday night against South Carolina (34–19, 6–16) 5–2, advancing their winning streak to nine games, and Earleywine has the best seat in the house.
“They’ve taken the reigns,” Earleywine said. “It hasn’t been me or the coaching staff — they’ve taken the team over, and they’re playing inspired because of it. I’m just fortunate I have a really good seat to watch. That’s what this postseason is going to be about: It’s their team.”
An ugly first inning from both teams left the score at 2–2. Sophomore Paige Lowary was in the pitching circle for Mizzou; with three walks and two wild pitches, South Carolina was on the board after a two-RBI single.
Missouri struck back in the bottom of the first, scoring a pair to tie the game. With the bases loaded, junior Kirsten Mack was hit by a pitch, bringing in one run. While freshman Rylee Pierce was up to bat, senior Sami Fagan stole home and slid in safe after the ball dribbled out of the catcher’s glove.
Defense stopped South Carolina in their tracks, with three consecutive outs by the Missouri infield. Lowary came back after a rough first inning to lead the Tiger defense.
“The first inning wasn’t great,” Lowary said. “I’ve been having some control issues all season. But after that, I just got it together, and the team really had my back. It was just a really good win.”
Smart base-running helped the Tigers take the lead in the bottom of the second inning. Four singles and a walk helped score a couple of runs, and when Fagan stole home again, the Tigers upped the lead to three runs.
There was a strategy to stealing home; each player knew that if she was on third base, she was to run home as soon as the ball left the catcher’s glove.
“The scouting report was that the South Carolina pitcher has been having trouble throwing to bases this year,” Fagan said. “I was pumped, I knew it would be a good play if we scored, so I was glad to be the one in that position to do so.”
Defense stayed strong the rest of the game, even when the Gamecocks threatened to score in the fifth and the seventh innings. Missouri yet again showed their unity and team chemistry by making the right plays at the right times.
That team chemistry is what is going to help the Tigers in the postseason, which kicks off next week with the Southeastern Conference tournament. Not only has the player-to-player relationship improved, but so has the coach-to-player relationship as the season has picked up in full swing.
“Coach E has always been my coach,” senior Taylor Gadbois said. “I’ve looked up to him for the past five years, and he’s a family man. And now he’s finally bringing that to the softball field. He’s not separating his work and home life anymore; he’s bringing it here and treating us like we’re his daughters.”
That relationship has grown as Earleywine has grown. He said he’s learned a lot while coaching female athletes, especially this year.
“If there is one thing that I have learned from coaching female athletes, it’s that if the team chemistry is good, and they feel good about one another and themselves, they’re going to play so much better,” Earleywine said. “And that’s where they’re at right now. They’re united, they’re playing inspired and passionate, and the last thing I want to do is get in the way.”
Missouri will take on the Gamecocks again Saturday afternoon in the second game of the series.
