Softball Splits Opening Day of NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic Friday

CLEARWATER, Fla. – The No. 23 University of Missouri Softball program (1-1) split its opening day of the 2023 NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic Friday at the Eddie C. Moore Complex. After falling to No. 6/9 Texas (1-1), 11-1, the Tigers crushed Fordham (0-2), 13-3, in the night cap. 

No. 6/9 Texas 13, No. 23 Missouri 1

The Longhorns outhit Missouri, 16-5, to take the 2023 NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic opener, 13-1.

Texas jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second frame and cracked the game open with a five-spot in the fourth to increase the advantage to 7-0. 

Leighann Goode, who was 3-for-4 Friday, reached on a fielder’s choice in the fifth to extend the margin to 8-0.

The Tigers finally got on the scoreboard in the fifth. Catcher Megan Moll opened the stanza with a double before advancing to third on a Jenna Laird single. 

Alex Honnold then registered a RBI groundout to second to plate Moll and cut the deficit to 8-1. 

The Longhorns added a trio of insurance runs in the seventh to cap the score at 11-1. 

Mac Morgan earned the win in the circle for Texas, allowing just one run on five hits with two strikeouts over five innings. 

NOTES

• Jenna Laird paced the Tigers in the opener, going 2-for-4 at the plate.
• Vanessa Hollingsworth, Chantice Phillips, and Megan Moll each compiled a hit.
• Outfielder Payton Jackson and catcher Addie Lange both made their Mizzou debuts in the opener. Jackson started in right. 
• Megan Moll posted her second career double in the contest. 
• Senior Jordan Weber started in the circle for Mizzou, letting up seven runs on nine hits in 3.2 innings. 
• Junior Laurin Krings came on in relief of Weber, pitching the final 3.1 innings (four runs on seven hits). 

No. 23 Missouri 13, Fordham 3

In the night cap, pitcher Cierra Harrison dominated while Missouri run-ruled the Rams in six innings, 13-3. 

Harrison, a freshman from Lee’s Summit, Missouri, registered seven strikeouts and allowed just one hit in her Tigers debut. 

Mizzou opened the scoring with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first.

Jenna Laird and Alex Honnold earned consecutive walks before advancing to scoring position with a double steal. Riley Frizell knocked a single to right to bring Laird home before Vanessa Hollingsworth tallied a RBI groundout to make the early lead, 2-0. 

Laired then commenced the third inning with a triple before stealing home on a throwing error by the Rams. 

Frizell added a basehit to left to score Honnold and increase the edge to 4-0.  

Julia Crenshaw, a sophomore infielder from O’Fallon, Missouri, then blasted a two-run homer to left to widen the gap to 6-0. For Crenshaw, the round tripper was the second in her career as a Tiger. 

The Rams answered with a trio of runs in the fifth to cut the Mizzou margin in half (6-3). The first run came on a two-out RBI single by Julia Martine. Michaela Carter then reached on an error to load the bases as Fordham plated two more on Bailey Enoch’s single to right center. 

Hollingsworth then scored on a wild pitch to make the score, 7-3, in the fifth.

The Tigers cemented the run-rule victory in the sixth, with a crooked number of six runs.

Maddie Gallagher posted a pinch-hit single before advancing to third on a miscue in the outfield. Laird who came aboard on an error, stole second to set the table for Honnold’s RBI base hit. 

Frizell added a RBI groundout to regrow the edge to 9-3. 

Hollingsworth then compiled a walk before a RBI double from Kara Daly. 

Crenshaw then sealed the victory with a two-run double. On the play, Crenshaw would touch home after a throwing error. 

NOTES

• Riley Frizell notched a career-matching two hits with a trio of RBI.
• Julia Crenshaw also posted two hits, which is also a personal best. She also totaled a career-high 4 RBI and two runs to go with her double and home run. 
• Vanessa Hollingsworth, Alex Honnold, and Jenna Laird all touched home three times. For all three players, it matched or became a new career best. 
• Maddie Gallagher and Katie Chester both made their Tiger debuts in the win. The duo also both knocked their first career hits in Mizzou gear. 
• Katie Chester made her first career start, playing DP. 
• Alex Honnold had three walks while Vanessa Hollingsworth earned two. 
• Kelsee Mortimer also posted a walk.
• Jenna Laird and Alex Honnold each had three steals. 
• Megan Schumacher came on in relief of Cierra Harrison, allowing just three runs on four hits in two innings. 

UP NEXT

The No. 23 Tigers continue their stay at the NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic Saturday and Sunday. Day 2 of the Classic begins with another ranked opponent for Missouri as they face No. 8/9 Northwestern at 3 p.m., CT Saturday. The day will conclude with a 5:30 p.m., CT matchup against Louisville. The Tigers will wrap up their weekend against Prairie View A&M at 11:30 a.m., CT on Sunday.

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