Missouri Softball Notches Impressive Opening Day Sweep
On Thursday, the Florida sunshine ended up shining a little brighter for Mizzou softball, as it notched two victories to start their stint in Clearwater, Fl. to open the season.
Their first matchup of the day was against Utah, which was fresh off of its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2017. It was a productive trip as well; the Utes made it all the way to the College World Series before being eliminated by Oklahoma State.
Unfortunately for Amy Hogue's squad, their season-opener against Mizzou wasn't nearly as productive, as the Tigers conquered the No. 16-ranked Utes 4-3.
With Lauren Krings on the bump, Utah opened the scoring in the bottom of the first. Shortstop Karlie Davison singled, bringing home third baseman Julia Jimenez home from third.
It didn't take long for the Tigers to respond. Julia Crenshaw led off the inning with a double, then advanced to third on a wild pitch. Chantice Phillips then ripped a single to score Crenshaw.
The bats on both sides went dormant over the next few innings, as they combined for three hits over the ensuing six half-innings. It wasn't until the bottom of the fifth where Utah pulled ahead. After Ailya Belarde grounded into a fielder's choice, freshman Madison Walker fell asleep, and Haley Denning scored from third base.
It looked like Walker thought Shelbi Ortiz, who was thrown out at second, was trying to advance to third. However, Ortiz was just walking off the field, and while Walker was preoccupied with Ortiz, Denning scored from third.
Just like earlier, however, Mizzou immediately responded. Kara Daly opened the inning with a triple, and three batters later, Katie Chester brought her home with a single.
In the top of the seventh, the Tigers came up clutch at the plate. After Maddie Gallagher singled up the middle, Laird smacked a double into left center that brought home Gallagher. Alex Honnold hit almost an identical ball on the next at-bat to put the Tigers up 4-2.
Although Utah didn't end the game quietly — Jimenez registered an RBI double — it wasn't enough for to overcome the deficit. Mizzou walked away with a 4-3 victory.
It was also Larissa Anderson's 300th career win.
Daly and Laird led the way with two hits apiece. Krings threw a complete game, allowing seven hits and three runs while striking out four batters.
Missouri 13, North Carolina State 0
Less than an hour later, Mizzou was back in action, this time against NC State. Unlike the previous contest, this game was quickly out of reach.
It didn't take long for Mizzou to rekindle the offensive groove, as Mya Dodge smoked an RBI-triple to kick off the scoring in the bottom of the second.
The following inning saw the Tigers break open the scoring. A wild pitch scored Phillips from third, and a fielder's choice from Laird scored Gallagher, who'd roped a double that advanced Phillips to third just two batters prior. Then, highly-touted freshman Madison Walker blasted a two-run home run over the fence in left field to put Mizzou up 5-0.
After another scoreless half-inning from the Wolfpack, Katie Chester picked up where Walker left off with a home run of her own to lead off the inning. A few batters later, with two runners aboard, Laird roped a double that scored both. Two batters later, Walker singled home Laird to put the Tigers up 9-0.
NC State was silent once again in the bottom half of the fourth, setting up a run-rule opportunity for MU, one they took almost instantly on the backs of the freshmen. With Stefania Abruscato and Katie Chester opening up the inning with singles, Kayley Lenger hit a double into right center field that scored both runners.
The next batter, Abby Hay (who was pinch-hitting for Phillips), immediately brought Lenger home with a single. Two batters later, Adi Koller brought home Hay, although she was thrown out at home going for an inside-the-park home run.
In the bottom half of the inning, the Wolfpack couldn't conjure up the five runs needed to extend the game, and Mizzou picked up their second win of the day in dominant fashion.
At the plate, all but two players with at least one at-bat reached base at least once. The freshman — Koller, Walker, Abruscato, Cahalan, Lenger and Hay — combined to go 6-for-7 with seven RBIs and five runs.
On the mound, Cierra Harrison could barely be touched. Although she didn't register a strikeout, she allowed just one hit in four innings of work. Marissa McCann sealed the deal in the bottom of the fifth.
The Tigers will be back in action Saturday for another doubleheader. They'll open the day against Liberty at 3:03 p.m. CT on MLB Network. Their second contest will be against South Alabama at 6 p.m. That game can be streamed live on GameChanger.
