Crenshaw, Krings Propel Missouri Softball to Series-Opening Victory Against Auburn
After winning 18 of its first 20 games, No. 12/12 Missouri softball got its first taste of SEC action on Friday, and the Tigers stepped up to the challenge.
In its first game of a three-game series against No. 25/25 Auburn, Missouri knocked off its SEC Tiger counterparts 5-2.
The home Tigers wasted little time getting out onto the basepaths, as they put Auburn pitcher Maddie Penta in unfamiliar territory. Penta entered Friday having dominated most of her competition this season. In her nine outings this season, the Maryland Menace (Penta hails from Chesapeake City) had pitched four consecutive complete-game shutouts, and she'd only recorded less than eight strikeouts once.
However, in some of her "worst" outings (a.k.a. outings where she actually allowed runs), one common theme was that Penta allowed a home run.
Friday became one of them.
In the bottom of the second, Krings sent a hanging off-speed pitch well over the wall in left field to give Missouri a 2-0 lead. It was another representation of Missouri's hitting approach, which has been aggressive all season long.
"We were reacting rather than evaluating," head coach Larissa Anderson said. "What Kara jumped on, aggressive early in the count, gives everybody belief that their preparation is going to pay off."
The home Tigers threatened once again in the bottom of the second inning. Chantice Phillips and Kayley Lenger both ripped two-out singles into left field, but Missouri couldn't capitalize. Jenna Laird almost beat out a ground ball to shortstop, but she got beat by half a step, ending what could've been another big offensive inning.
In the top of the third, Krings recorded her 500th career strikeout.
"She's taken her senior year to another level," Anderson said. "She's putting the team on her back, and she wants the team to succeed."
Missouri found themselves in another prime scoring situation in the bottom of the third, as Alex Honnold hit a leadoff double and advanced to third on a passed ball. Once again, however, the home Tigers came up empty, as Maddie Gallagher lined out to third base to end the inning.
It was in the top of the fourth that the other pitching titan, Laurin Krings, started to face some trouble. Makalya Packer took a walk on a full count, then advanced to third on a passed ball/throwing error combination. Amelia Lech hit a line drive over the glove of Laird, who was playing closer in due to the runner on third, to cut Missouri's lead to one. The next batter, Nelia Peralta, hit a ground ball up the middle that brought home pinch-runner Riley McNemar to tie the game up at two.
After a couple of scoreless half-innings, Missouri got to Penta once again. In her previous nine outings, Penta hadn't allowed multiple home runs in a single start.
Friday became one of them.
With two runners aboard, Julia Crenshaw smashed a towering fly ball onto the hill in left field to give Missouri a 5-2 lead. It was Crenshaw's first home run of the season.
"It rallies everybody, but it also gives the belief that you're never out of a ballgame. We could've easily been down 5-0, but when you have a home run that can put a couple of runs on the board fast, and you don't have to get three singles in a row to score, you're getting it off of one swing, it adds to that belief that it doesn't matter what the score is, we are in the game, we still have an opportunity to win."
Krings remained in the game for the sixth and seventh innings, and like many times before, she closed the door on a victory. Krings turned in back-to-back 1-2-3 innings to seal the 5-2 win.
Crenshaw led the way at the plate with two hits and three RBIs. She also played a huge role in Krings' big night on the mound.
"That's the best I've ever seen Julia Crenshaw play," Anderson said. "Unbelievable behind the plate, and her controlling Krings and controlling the strike zone and some key dropped third strikes...she had quality at-bats the entire game."
Krings finished with nine strikeouts while allowing just two hits. For Penta, she gave up the most runs (6) and earned runs (3) she had all season.
"We're really excited we got that win, but tomorrow's a new day," Krings said.
The Tigers will be back in action tomorrow for the second game of the series at 2 p.m.
