Mizzou Advances in SEC Softball Tournament
| May 08, 2024 | Sports,
The road to gold is long and winding, one that very few travel. The No. 5 seed Missouri Tigers began that journey in the SEC Tournament with an opening round victory against No. 13 Ole Miss, 3-1.
Missouri started slow offensively, with no hits through the first two innings. With Kayley Lenger on first and two outs in the third, shortstop Jenna Laird broke the drought with a single to left field to push Lenger to third. Center fielder Alex Honnold capitalized on the runners with a double to drive both home. This ranked as double No. 21 for Honnold on the season, extending her lead atop the SEC in the category.
After another walk from infielder Maddie Gallagher, freshman first baseman Abby Hay singled to left and scored the third run of the inning. Hay has been a revelation in her freshman season, finishing third on the team in batting average. At the end of the regular season, Hay finished with a .328 batting average with 61 at-bats.
Designated player Stefania Abruscato walked to load the bases, but Missouri couldn’t push across another run.
Missouri held a patient approach, drawing six walks in the game along with a hit by pitch.
To no one’s surprise, senior pitcher Laurin Krings balled out in the circle as the starting pitcher. Krings finished the game with 6.0 innings pitched with one run, three hits and a walk. Krings’ time on the mound ended with a solo home run from utility player Aynslie Furbush to lead off the seventh inning. This marked the seventh consecutive game in which Krings allowed two runs or fewer.
As a result, sophomore Taylor Pannell replaced Krings in the circle to secure the last three outs. Pannell allowed a walk, but retired three batters thanks to a groundout and a pair of fly outs. This marked save No. 13 for Pannell on the season, extending her lead in the entirety of Division I.
Missouri advances to the quarterfinals against four-seed Arkansas on May 9 at 1 p.m. In the earlier meeting this season, the Razorbacks took the series in Fayetteville 2-1.