Columbia, MO – Marissa McCann threw the 13th perfect game in Missouri softball history in a 7-0 victory over Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on Wednesday.
McCann is the eighth pitcher to throw a perfect game in program history, the first since Laurin Krings accomplished the feat against Bradley in 2022.
McCann’s 11 strikeouts were one shy of her season-high. It was the first career no-hitter and first perfect game for the junior.
“It almost made me want to tear up seeing the way that my teammates ran out of the dugout and we’re so excited for me,” McCann said about the moments following her final out.
“She makes it really easy for me…Everything was working,” catcher Stefania Abruscato said.
The victory also served as the Tigers’ second shutout win over SIUE this year, having run-ruled the Cougars 8-0 in Edwardsville on March 24. That game was also the second career no-hitter for starting pitcher Cierra Harrison.
The outings marked the second time in the last 15 years that a Mizzou softball team has no-hit the same opponent twice in the same season, having done so against Ole Miss in 2011. SIUE is the first team since 1991 that the Tigers have thrown both a no-hitter and perfect game against in the same year.
“I’m so proud of McCann, the outing that she had. To give her offensive support, I mean, it’s a team effort in those situations,” head coach Larissa Anderson said.
McCann’s pitching performance was backed up by seven runs, including long balls off the bats of Abruscato and Abby Hay.
In the first inning, Abruscato belted a long double that nearly made it over the left field wall. She scored the first run of the game later that inning after a single from Hay.
In her next at bat, she homered to center field, extending Missouri’s lead to two.
“If you get a good bat on the ball…and you know you’re gonna see the same pitcher again, I knew that I felt good against her,” Abruscato said about her production against starting pitcher Mia Volpert.
The Tigers scored five more runs in the fifth and sixth innings, including a two-run shot from Hay in the final frame.
They added plenty of insurance for McCann, who struck out her last two batters to secure the victory and the perfect game.
“Its really special to see all their hard work pay off and for everyone to be a part of it,” Anderson said.
The Tigers, who were 24-24 before the game, added the matchup to their schedule just two days prior in hopes of securing another win to boost their playoff chances.
Missouri’s last seven games on the schedule include an away series against No. 6 Arkansas, a single-game stint against Kansas City and a home series against No. 9 Tennessee. Heading into the final stretch of the regular season against two top-10 opponents, Friday’s game was a must-win.
“No game is light in college softball,” Hay said. “I honestly think sometimes the midweek games are a little harder, just because you’re not as refreshed as you are for the SEC games.”
Despite the shutout and McCann’s performance from inside the circle, The Tigers remain focused on what’s ahead.
“It’s an awesome feeling after throwing a perfect game, but I think that just gives us a lot of momentum going into this weekend,” McCann said.
Missouri will face Arkansas in Fayetteville for the first game of a three-game series 5 p.m. Friday.