Softball Set to Host Black & Gold Game Saturday at Devine

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The No. 23 ranked University of Missouri Softball program will host its annual Black & Gold Game Saturday at the Devine Pavilion. First pitch is set for 12 p.m., CT and admission to the scrimmage is free.

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 pitching corps also includes seniors Emma Nichols and Megan Schumacher, sophomore Jayci Kruse and freshmen Cierra Harrison, Lilly Whitten, and Taylor Pannell.

The Tigers also return 2022 Gold 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 Julia Crenshaw.

Laird, a junior from East Meadow, New York, has nabbed five 2023 preseason honors including Preseason All-SEC and USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Watch List.

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

Following the Black & Gold 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.

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).