LINCOLN, Neb. – The No. 14/13 University of Missouri softball team (17-2) concluded its stay at the 2024 Big Red Invitational with victories over Wichita State (9-5) and Nebraska (8-10) Sunday at Bowlin Stadium.
Missouri first downed Wichita State, 8-2, before capping the tournament with a 5-1 decision over host, Nebraska.
With the pair of wins Sunday, Mizzou went a perfect 4-0 at the Invitational to improve to 17-2 and is off to one of the program's best starts to a season.
It also marked the third perfect non-conference tournament weekend for the Tigers to commence 2024 after going 5-0 at both the NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic and the Tracy Beard College Classic, respectively.
No. 14/13 Mizzou 8, RV/RV Wichita State 2
Katie Chester went a career-best 4-for-4 with a trio of RBI while pitchers Marissa McCann and Cierra Harrison combined to allow just two runs as Mizzou dropped Wichita State, 8-2, in the morning matchup.
Missouri jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first frame Sunday morning. Shortstop Jenna Laird came aboard on a hit by pitch before a first-pitch home run from Alex Honnold opened the Tigers scoring.
The homer was Honnold's second of the campaign, a shot to deep center at Bowlin Stadium.
Maddie Gallagher then connected on a two-out double. Chester followed with an RBI ground-rule double that bounced over the left field wall.
The Shockers cut the Mizzou edge to 3-1 with a home run from Krystin Nelson in the third.
The Tigers continued to build their advantage, tallying a three-run sixth before adding a pair in the seventh.
With the bases loaded in the sixth, Kara Daly plated Laird with a sacrifice fly. Chester then singled up the middle to increase the edge to 6-1.
Julia Crenshaw then doubled home a pair in the seventh for an 8-1 lead.
Wichita State would get a run back in the bottom half of the seventh on a home run from Lainee Brown.
McCann, a freshman from Surprise, Arizona, improved to 2-0 in 2024, pitching 4.1 innings in the start and allowing one run on three hits with three strikeouts.
Harrison picked up her first career save in the victory, closing out the final 2.2 innings, scattering a run on one hit with three strikeouts. With the trio of Ks, the sophomore from Lee's Summit, Missouri, compiled her 100th career strikeout donning the Black & Gold.
GAME NOTES
• Katie Chester went a career-best 4-for-4 with a trio of RBI and a double (second in 2024). It marked her second multi-hit game of the season and fourth multi-RBI game in 2024.
• Katie Chester is the fourth Tiger in 2024 to go 4-for-4, joining Alex Honnold, Julia Crenshaw, and Kara Daly.
• Jenna Laird and Alex Honnold each went 2-for-3 with a trio of runs. Honnold added two RBI.
• Alex Honnold notched her second home run of the season (18 in her career).
• Maddie Gallagher (1 run, 2 walks) and Julia Crenshaw (1 run, 1 RBI) both knocked doubles in the win.
• Marissa McCann, a freshman from Surprise, Arizona, improved to 2-0 in 2024, pitching 4.1 innings in the start (third career start) and allowing one run on three hits with three strikeouts.
• Cierra Harrison picked up her first career save in the victory, closing out the final 2.2 innings, scattering a run on one hit with three strikeouts.
• With the trio of Ks, Cierra Harrison, a sophomore from Lee's Summit, Missouri, has compiled 100 strikeouts in her career at Mizzou.
• Mizzou outscored Wichita State, 21-5, over the two wins at the 2024 Big Red Invitational.
• Mizzou is now 26-2 all-time against the Shockers and head coach Larissa Anderson is 6-0 versus Wichita State.
Missouri first downed Wichita State, 8-2, before capping the tournament with a 5-1 decision over host, Nebraska.
With the pair of wins Sunday, Mizzou went a perfect 4-0 at the Invitational to improve to 17-2 and is off to one of the program's best starts to a season.
It also marked the third perfect non-conference tournament weekend for the Tigers to commence 2024 after going 5-0 at both the NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic and the Tracy Beard College Classic, respectively.
No. 14/13 Mizzou 8, RV/RV Wichita State 2
Katie Chester went a career-best 4-for-4 with a trio of RBI while pitchers Marissa McCann and Cierra Harrison combined to allow just two runs as Mizzou dropped Wichita State, 8-2, in the morning matchup.
Missouri jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first frame Sunday morning. Shortstop Jenna Laird came aboard on a hit by pitch before a first-pitch home run from Alex Honnold opened the Tigers scoring.
The homer was Honnold's second of the campaign, a shot to deep center at Bowlin Stadium.
Maddie Gallagher then connected on a two-out double. Chester followed with an RBI ground-rule double that bounced over the left field wall.
The Shockers cut the Mizzou edge to 3-1 with a home run from Krystin Nelson in the third.
The Tigers continued to build their advantage, tallying a three-run sixth before adding a pair in the seventh.
With the bases loaded in the sixth, Kara Daly plated Laird with a sacrifice fly. Chester then singled up the middle to increase the edge to 6-1.
Julia Crenshaw then doubled home a pair in the seventh for an 8-1 lead.
Wichita State would get a run back in the bottom half of the seventh on a home run from Lainee Brown.
McCann, a freshman from Surprise, Arizona, improved to 2-0 in 2024, pitching 4.1 innings in the start and allowing one run on three hits with three strikeouts.
Harrison picked up her first career save in the victory, closing out the final 2.2 innings, scattering a run on one hit with three strikeouts. With the trio of Ks, the sophomore from Lee's Summit, Missouri, compiled her 100th career strikeout donning the Black & Gold.
GAME NOTES
• Katie Chester went a career-best 4-for-4 with a trio of RBI and a double (second in 2024). It marked her second multi-hit game of the season and fourth multi-RBI game in 2024.
• Katie Chester is the fourth Tiger in 2024 to go 4-for-4, joining Alex Honnold, Julia Crenshaw, and Kara Daly.
• Jenna Laird and Alex Honnold each went 2-for-3 with a trio of runs. Honnold added two RBI.
• Alex Honnold notched her second home run of the season (18 in her career).
• Maddie Gallagher (1 run, 2 walks) and Julia Crenshaw (1 run, 1 RBI) both knocked doubles in the win.
• Marissa McCann, a freshman from Surprise, Arizona, improved to 2-0 in 2024, pitching 4.1 innings in the start (third career start) and allowing one run on three hits with three strikeouts.
• Cierra Harrison picked up her first career save in the victory, closing out the final 2.2 innings, scattering a run on one hit with three strikeouts.
• With the trio of Ks, Cierra Harrison, a sophomore from Lee's Summit, Missouri, has compiled 100 strikeouts in her career at Mizzou.
• Mizzou outscored Wichita State, 21-5, over the two wins at the 2024 Big Red Invitational.
• Mizzou is now 26-2 all-time against the Shockers and head coach Larissa Anderson is 6-0 versus Wichita State.
