No. 23 Tigers Selected Eighth in SEC Softball Preseason Poll

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The No. 23 ranked University of Missouri Softball program was selected to finished eighth in the Southeastern Conference in 2023, the league announced Thursday. The Tigers received 63 points in the annual preseason poll voted on by the conference’s 13 head coaches.

Mizzou enters the 2023 season after they hosted an NCAA Regional for the second-consecutive year and made the SEC Tournament Championship game for the second time in program history. In 2023, the Tigers look to stretch their run of 15-straight NCAA Tournament appearances.

Missouri posted a 38-22 mark in 2022 including a 12-11 record in the SEC.

The Tigers totaled 86 home runs in 2022 which ranks second all-time in program history behind 91 homers, set in 2021. In the field, Missouri recorded a .976 fielding percentage which ranks tied for second behind 2021’s .979 clip.

Mizzou returns its entire pitching staff from a year ago, who posted a 2.81 ERA including a 1.00 ERA in the postseason. Jordan Weber, a 2022 NFCA Second Team All-Region honoree, and Laurin Krings combined to shut out No. 17/20 Auburn, No. 5/7 Alabama, and No. 13/10 Tennessee en route to the SEC Championship title game.

The Tigers also return 2022 Golden Glove Recipient and NFCA All-Region shortstop, Jenna Laird, along with sophomore third baseman Kara Daly, right fielder Alex Honnold, junior outfielder Chantice Phillips, junior first baseman Riley Frizell and sophomore infielder/outfielder Julia Crenshaw.

Other returning upperclassmen are Kendal Cook (senior outfielder), Hannah McGivern (senior outfielder), Megan Moll (senior catcher/utility player), Addie Lange (redshirt junior catcher) and Kelsee Mortimer (junior corner infielder).

Florida was predicted to be the top program for the 2023 SEC softball season. The Gators received five first-place votes and 134 points to lead the preseason poll. Tennessee garnered three first-place votes and 126 points to finish in second place. Arkansas, the defending SEC Champion, earned five first-place votes and 122 points to take third place. Alabama tallied 118 points to place fourth, and LSU rounded out the top five with 87 points.

Georgia (85 points, sixth), Kentucky (84 points, seventh), Missouri (63 points, eighth), Auburn (61 points, ninth), Ole Miss (49 points, 10th), Mississippi State (44 points, 11th), Texas A&M (28 points, 12th), and South Carolina (13 points, 13th) completed the rankings.

Points were compiled on a descending basis. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team.

SEC teams are slated to begin the 2023 softball season on Thursday, February 9, with conference play set to begin on Friday, March 10. The 2023 SEC Softball Tournament is scheduled for May 9-13 at Bogle Park in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

2023 SEC Softball Preseason Coaches’ Poll

(First-Place Votes in Parentheses)

Place     School – Points

1.            Florida (5) – 134 points

2.            Tennessee (3) – 126 points

3.            Arkansas (5) – 122 points

4.            Alabama – 118 points

5.            LSU – 87 points

6.            Georgia – 85 points

7.            Kentucky – 84 points

8.            Missouri – 63 points

9.            Auburn – 61 points

10.          Ole Miss – 49 points

11.          Mississippi State – 44 points

12.          Texas A&M – 28 points

13.          South Carolina – 13 points

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For all the latest information on No. 23 ranked Mizzou Softball, please visit MUTigers.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Tigers on TwitterInstagram and Facebook  (@MizzouSoftball).

The 2023 team and Casidy Chaumont will be signing autographs on the concourse of Mizzou Arena by the student section ahead of Saturday’s men’s basketball game. 2022 Rawlings Gold Glove Recipients Jenna Laird and Casidy Chaumont will be recognized during the first half of the game.

Fans can get their first glimpse of the team at the annual Black & Gold Game on Saturday, Feb. 4 at the Devine Pavilion. First pitch is set for 12 p.m., CT and admission is free. Following the game, the Tigers will host the Black & Gold Banquet at 2:30 p.m., CT at the Walsworth Family Columns Club at Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field. Registration is currently available online.

Missouri opens its 2023 campaign at the NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic Feb. 10-12 in Clearwater, Florida.

This article is provided by University of Missouri Athletics
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