Laird Selected to the 2023 Preseason All-SEC Softball Team

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Missouri Softball junior shortstop Jenna Laird was named to the 2023 Preseason All-SEC Team, the league announced Thursday.

For Laird, it is her second-straight season being selected to the Preseason All-SEC Softball Team, which is voted on by the conference’s head coaches and consists of a minimum of 21 players. No ties are broken.

Laird led the Tigers in 2022 for batting average (.338), doubles (11), triples (3), runs scored (44) and stolen bases (22) as she garnered 2022 NFCA Third Team All-Region honors. She tallied 20 multi-hit games, nine of which included extra-base hits.

Laird, an East Meadow, New York, native, was named to the 2022 SEC All-Tournament Team after she led the Tigers to the Championship Final, batting .500 over the four tournament games. She was also selected to the 2022 All-SEC Second Team after posting a hitting line of .291/.519/.341 in conference play.

In the field, Laird was tabbed a 2022 Rawlings Gold Glove recipient for her play at shortstop. She posted a .975 fielding percentage, turning 10 double plays in total over 163 chances.

For Laird, it is her fifth 2023 preseason list as she has also been named to the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Watch List, D1Softball’s Preseason D100 Players, Extra Inning Softball’s Extra Elite 100 College Player Rankings, and Softball America’s 2023 Preseason Top 100.

UP NEXT

The No. 23 Tigers will travel to Clearwater, Florida, to kick off their 2023 season at the NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic from Feb. 10-12. Mizzou will play five games over three days, including two games against ranked opponents in No. 6/9 Texas and No. 8/8 Northwestern on the weekend.

FOLLOW THE TIGERS

For all the latest on Mizzou Softball, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team @MizzouSoftball (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook).

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.