Mizzou Softball Closes Regular Season Strong, Blanks Georgia for First SEC Series Win

In a year filled with lows, Mizzou softball ended the 2025 regular season on a high note.

The Tigers took down No. 24 Georgia 1-0 on Sunday, securing their first SEC series win of the season. They avoided going an entire campaign without a three-game conference series win for the first time since 2013, their first season in the SEC.

"We were playing for (the seniors) this whole weekend," Taylor Pannell said. "Getting that first SEC series win, (it) was just so special to do that at home."

Similarly to the second game of the series, Madison Uptegrove was responsible for all of MU's runs in the series finale ... even if it was just one. Facing a full count with no outs in the bottom of the second, Uptegrove took an outside off-speed pitch deep in left center field; although the ball barely cleared the fence, the sudden offensive spark still lit the home crowd ablaze.

That's all the offensive insurance Mizzou ended up needing, as Cierra Harrison had a sparkling afternoon in the circle. She only struck out one batter in six innings pitched — UGA first baseman Emma Castorri went down swinging to end the fifth inning — but Harrison induced ground balls and pop ups all game long. She allowed just two hits, and not a single Bulldog baserunner made it past second base.

"Kind of just everything," Harrison said on what was working for her today. "Coaches called pitches that kept hitters off-balance."

In the top of the seventh, Pannell entered the game in relief of Harrison, even as the junior was dealing. However, Harrison didn't seem to mind the switched.

"I have all the trust in the world (in Pannell)," Harrison said. "When coach (Larissa Anderson) tells me Taylor's going in, I'm just like 'great, she's gonna win this game for us."

Pannell had started seven games this seasons, but she's a natural closer, having tied the NCAA record for saves in a single season with 15 in 2024. She tore through the UGA order to seal the win, retiring leadoff hitter Sarah Gordon on the second pitch of the at-bat before striking out the final two batters.

Mizzou will be the No. 15 seed in the SEC Tournament and will play the No. 10 seed on Tuesday. The climb to an NCAA Tournament berth is high, but the Tigers appear ready to face it as the SEC Tournament's lowest seed.

"We have nothing to lose," Harrison said. "We're playing to win. That's it."