The Tigers hit four home runs to top the nation’s top team
Mizzou Softball pulled off its second upset over the nation’s top-ranked team in the span of a month on Friday, defeating #1 Texas A&M 9-1 in five innings.
The Tigers previously beat top-ranked Oklahoma 3-1 on March 22. Mizzou’s offense led the charge with four home runs that accounted for seven of the team’s nine runs.
“We know their offense is really potent, so they could come back with one swing of the bat,” catcher Julia Crenshaw said. “So let’s just keep putting the pressure on them, keep getting those insurance runs. We did, and we ended up getting enough where we could cut the game a little short.”
Starter Cierra Harrison ran into trouble from the start of the game, loading the bases in the top of the first after Koko Wooley legged out an infield single. Harrison held the Aggies in check, though, inducing a flyout to right field by Allie Enright and stranding all three runners.
Crenshaw rewarded her hard work by sending the second pitch she saw in the bottom of the first out to the left field berm for a leadoff home run, giving Mizzou a 1-0 lead.
The Tigers continued their early offensive onslaught with a double to left center by Stefania Abruscato and walk by Abby Hay, placing runners on first and second with two outs for Kara Daly.
She stepped up and smacked the first pitch of the at-bat beyond the left field wall, putting Mizzou ahead 4-0 and sending a jolt of electricity through the crowd.
Missouri softball plays Texas A&M on Friday, April 18, 2025, at Mizzou Softball Stadium. (Cal Tobias/Rock M)
Harrison’s struggles popped up again in the top of the third as she hit the first two batters with pitches. That allowed Mac Barbara to put A&M on the board with a single to right field, 4-1.
Wooley recorded another infield single the next at-bat, loading the bases and again placing the Tigers in trouble. But Harrison worked herself out of the jam, recording three straight outs to strand the bases loaded for the second time in three innings.
Much like the first inning, Mizzou made the Aggies rue their missed opportunity.
Madison Walker led off and hit the team’s third longball of the day, this time to right field, for a 5-1 advantage. The Tigers then manufactured another run in the bottom of the third, starting with Taylor Ebbs’ hit-by-pitch.
Danielle Blackstun entered as a pinch runner and advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Hay, then scored the next at-bat on a double down the left field line by Daly, making it 6-1. The double gave Daly (Editor’s Note: ahem… Daly Double) her fourth RBI of the game.
Mizzou’s pitching ran into trouble again in the top of the fourth, starting with Kramer Eschete’s infield single that ended Harrison’s outing. She was replaced by Marissa McCann, who immediately hit Kennedy Powell with a pitch to put two runners on base.
But just like Harrison, McCann was able to avoid surrendering a run by recording three straight outs. And she settled in the next inning, putting another 0 on the board with a relatively quiet top of the fifth.
Missouri softball plays Texas A&M on Friday, April 18, 2025, at Mizzou Softball Stadium. (Cal Tobias/Rock M)
“They were humming it,” Crenshaw said of the team’s pitchers. “The ball was coming in pretty hot and they were moving it really well, and their changeup was working really well, so they were keeping the batters off time.”
McCann’s efficient fifth set the stage for the Tigers to complete the run-rule in the bottom of the frame, scoring three runs.
Sophie Smith walked to begin a two-out rally, then Kayley Lenger smacked the team’s fourth home run of the game to left field for an 8-1 lead.
Lenger entered this week with three career home runs in 256 plate appearances. She’s now hit three longballs in the last six games and 18 plate appearances.
Mizzou kept up the pressure with a walk by Navaeh Watkins and a single to right by Crenshaw, placing runners on first and second for Abruscato.
The sophomore completed the Tigers’ domination of A&M, sending a groundball through the right side to bring home Watkins and secure the run-rule victory.
Missouri softball plays Texas A&M on Friday, April 18, 2025, at Mizzou Softball Stadium. (Cal Tobias/Rock M)
“I knew before, she was going to walk it off,” shortstop Kara Daly said. “I had so much faith and confidence in her.”
The win cements Mizzou’s status as giant killers. The Tigers have now beaten seven top-25 teams this season, including their victories over no. 1 teams, OU and A&M.
In a season of rarely seen lows, Larissa Anderson’s squad has also had its fair share of highs. Those prestigious wins are what have kept the team in the postseason conversation, though the team needs to finish the year with a .500 winning percentage to qualify for the NCAA Tournament.
Mizzou will surely hope this win provides the spark needed for a late season charge to avoid missing the tournament for the first time since 2006.
“We’re not going to back down for anybody,” Daly said. “We’re going to keep calling and getting those wins in.”
The Tigers have six games remaining, starting with a three game series next weekend in Tuscaloosa against #17 Alabama. The series’ first game will begin Friday at 6 p.m. and be broadcast on SEC Network+.