Softball Tames No. 8 Wildcats, 6-1, in Second Day of NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic

CLEARWATER, Fla. – The No. 23 University of Missouri Softball program (2-1) bested No. 8/8 Northwestern (2-1), 6-1, in the second day of the 2023 NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic Saturday at the Eddie C. Moore Complex.

Mizzou outhit the Wildcats, 11-4, en route to the upset victory.

After Northwestern jumped out to a 1-0 lead, the Tigers scored six unanswered runs to seal the win.

Starting pitcher Laurin Krings allowed just one run, scattering four hits in the complete-game victory. Krings, a junior from Loveland, Colorado, totaled three strikeouts in the outing. 

Angela Zedak notched a solo shot to right in the bottom of the second for Northwestern’s only lead in the game. 

The Tigers then evened the contest in the fourth before taking the lead and growing their advantage in the fifth and sixth. 

Julia Crenshaw opened the fourth frame with a double to the left centerfield wall before safely advancing to third on a Kara Daly sacrifice bunt.

Chantice Phillips then batted in Crenshaw with a single to right to even the game at 1-1. 

Mizzou took the lead for good in the fifth. Leadoff hitter Jenna Laird commenced the inning with a single before Alex Honnold blasted her third career home run (first of the season) to push the Tigers lead to 3-1. 

Missouri wasn’t done, extending its advantage to 6-1 in the sixth. Payton Jackson earned a walk before moving to third on a single from Addie Lange. 

Honnold knocked a sacrifice fly to right to bring home Lange. 

Laird then compiled a RBI single to right and would score on a Riley Frizell base hit to left. 

NOTES

• Jenna Laird led the Tigers at the dish, going 3-for-4 with two runs and a RBI.
• Alex Honnold paced Mizzou with 3 RBI, batting 2-for-3 with a sacrifice fly and a two-run homer.
• Chantice Phillips registered a personal-high two hits (2-for-4) with a triple and a RBI. The triple was the first in her career at Mizzou.
• Catcher Addie Lange made her first career start as a Tiger. She registered her first career hit at Mizzou and also scored Saturday. 
• Maddie Snider nabbed her first stolen base of the season. 
• Laurin Krings earned her first win of the season and is now 28-12 in her career at Missouri. 
• Missouri’s afternoon game with Louisville was postponed in the fourth inning due to weather delay. Details on resumption of play and an updated Sunday schedule coming later today.

UP NEXT

The No. 23 Tigers wrap up their weekend at the NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic Sunday when they face Prairie View A&M. First pitch is currently slated for 11:30 a.m., CT.

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