Harrison Pitches Shutout as Missouri Softball Earns Series Win over Auburn
From 2021-23, SEC series openers weren't too kind to Missouri softball.
They'd been swept in the SEC series openers in 2023 and 2022, and they'd lost two of three to Georgia in 2021.
This time around, however, was different. After taking down No. 25/25 Auburn on Friday, No. 12/12 Missouri picked up the series win on Saturday with a 5-0 triumph.
Just like yesterday, Missouri jumped on Auburn early. After Cierra Harrison sat down the road Tigers 1-2-3 in the top of the first, the home Tigers broke through the Columbia cold with hot hitting. Jenna Laird led off the inning with a single into left center field; after stealing second, Laird advanced to third on a double by Alex Honnold. When a pitch in the dirt got away from Auburn catcher Aubrie Lisenby, the speedy Laird booked it home to give Missouri a 1-0 lead.
The home Tigers almost made it 2-0, but Makayla Packer completed an inning-ending double play when she nailed a tagging Honnold at the plate with a frozen rope.
After another scoreless inning from Auburn's offense, Missouri picked up right where they left off.
This time around, MU's offensive production came with a little help from the opposition. Katie Chester hit a routine fly ball to right field, but unfortunately for Auburn, Icess Tresvik felt the wrath of the sun, which was shining bright amidst a blue sky in Columbia on Saturday. With Tresvik battling a giant orb, the ball fell harmlessly in front of her, allowing Chester to take second base.
Auburn's defensive woes continued shortly after, as the next batter, Madison Walker, reached first on a bobbled ground ball by second baseman Rose Roach.
Even worse for the road Tigers, their mistakes ended up costing them. Chantice Phillips stepped up to the plate and unleashed an All-American swing, one that sent the ball over the fence in right center field that had "31 All-Americans" printed on it. It was Phillips' second home run of the season.
The next batter, Kayley Lenger, kept the good times rolling with a ground ball down the left field line. The hit knocked Auburn starter Annabelle Widra out of the game, who was looking to bounce back after a rough outing against USC Upstate. Instead, Widra didn't last two full innings.
Honnold quickly brought Lenger home with a line drive up the middle, and the lead ballooned to five.
On the mound, Harrison continued to deal. Her only blemish in the third and fourth innings was a double by KK McCray in the top of the third, as Harrison struck out the side in the fourth.
The next three half-innings were relatively uneventful, as both teams were retired in order. Missouri threatened once again in the bottom of the sixth, as Kara Daly and Maddie Gallagher reached base with no outs. However, the following three batters were retired in order, and the score remained 5-0.
Despite numerous Missouri pitchers warming up in the bullpen, Harrison remained on the mound. Although Harrison allowed two base runners in the inning, she sealed the deal with a strikeout and a groundout.
With the eight-K, complete game shutout, Harrison moved to 10-0 on the season. Honnold was the only Missouri Tiger with multiple hits, and Phillips led the way with three RBIs.
The win was Missouri's first SEC opening series win since 2020, when the Tigers swept Ole Miss in early March.
Missouri will conclude its series with Auburn tomorrow at noon, where it'll look for the series sweep.
