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COLUMBIA, Mo. – For the first time since 2016 and the 11th time overall, Mizzou Softball is hosting an NCAA Regional in Columbia. Coach Larissa Anderson’s Tigers, 38-15 overall and 15-9 in the Southeastern Conference, received the 8th overall seed in the 2021 NCAA Tournament when pairings were announced Sunday evening.
“At the beginning of the season, one of our goals was to put ourselves in a position to host Regionals and Super Regionals.” Head Coach Larissa Anderson said. “I am so proud that we were able to do that.”
The Columbia Regional will host Iowa State, Northern Iowa and UIC as the second, third and fourth seeds, respectively. Mizzou will open the tournament against UIC on Friday, May 21 at 3:30 p.m. at Mizzou Softball Stadium, following the region’s first game between Iowa State and Northern Iowa at 1 p.m.
The Tigers are a national seed for the first time since 2016, receiving their highest overall seed since 2013 This is the 11th time in program history that Missouri has hosted an NCAA Regional and the first time it will be played at the five-year-old $17.5M Mizzou Softball Stadium.
Mizzou season ticket holders and Tiger Scholarship Fund donors must call the Mizzou Ticket Office at 1-800-CAT-PAWS or the TSF office at 573-882-0704 on Monday, May 17, to request all-session tickets before any remaining tickets go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, May 18, at 9 a.m. on-line at www.mutigers.com/tickets. If available, single-session tickets would go on-sale Thursday, May 20, at 9 a.m. Mizzou Softball Stadium will now allow up to 50 percent capacity for the Regional, up from 20 percent throughout the season.
The Tigers will look to reach the Women’s College World Series for the seventh time in program history. Mizzou’s last appearance came in 2011 when the Tigers were the ninth overall seed.
Mizzou has been an offensive power throughout the 2021 season. The Tigers enter the 2021 NCAA Tournament ranked among the nation’s Top 12 in runs per game (No. 10, 6.71), home runs per game, (No. 10, 1.54), slugging percentage (No. 10, .566), walks (No. 10, 181) doubles (T-No. 11, 52) and batting average (No. 12, .328). Additionally, Mizzou has displayed impressive defense throughout the season, currently standing seventh nationally with a .981 fielding percentage after ranking T-119th over last season’s COVID-19 shortened campaign.
Three senior Tiger batters have reached double-digit home run total on the season in catcher Hatti Moore (17), infielder Kimberly Wert (16) and outfielder Cayla Kessinger (12). All three players stand in the Top 10 in program history in home runs. The 2021 team is currently tied for the program record with 82 home runs originally set by the 2005 team over 59 games. Six Tigers have set career-highs in home runs during the season, while Jenna Laird (seven) and Riley Frizell (three) have combined for 10 homers as freshmen.
Both Jordan Weber and Megan Schumacher have 10 wins on the season in the circle and Emma Nichols has added seven saves on the year.
Visit MUTigers.com for the latest information on all things Mizzou Softball. Tiger fans can also follow the program on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@MizzouSoftball).
