Missouri Softball Defeats Clemson, Wins NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic

The Tigers moved to 5-0 after knocking off another ranked opponent in Clearwater, this time for the tournament championship.

No. 5/7-ranked Clemson softball had been a dominate ACC program of late. The Tigers made Super Regionals in 2022 and 2023, and even when they couldn't get out of Regionals in 2021, they went 44-8 in the regular season. 

On Mizzou's third and final day at the NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic, new viewers likely wouldn't have known of Clemson's prowess, as black and gold took home the NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic championship with a 4-1 victory. 

Laurin Krings took the mound once again for Mizzou, but she ran into trouble early on. She gave up a walk and a single to start. In the three-spot, Valerie Cagle grounded out to Maddie Gallagher at second base, but both runners advanced to second and third. However, Krings tightened up, striking out Julia Knowler and forcing a pop-out by Alia Logoleo to end the inning. 

It didn't take very long for Mizzou to pounce offensively. Jenna Laird led off the bottom of the first with a triple into the left center field gap.

TRIPLE 3️⃣

Jenna Laird of @MizzouSoftball helps the Tigers get off to a fast start in this title game! 🐯 #OwnIt | #MIZ pic.twitter.com/kg8dDUZrgt

— GameChanger (@GetGameChanger) February 11, 2024

The next batter, Alex Honnold, singled home Laird to get Mizzou on the board. Yesterday, she took a pitch high and outside over the right field fence for a home run. While this ball landed far inside the fence, Honnold jumped on another pitch that was high and inside for a run.

RBI SINGLE 👏

Alex Honnold with her first of 2 RBI on the day so far to extend @MizzouSoftball lead over #5 Clemson 🙌#MIZ | #OwnIt pic.twitter.com/w1BsdlJaTV

— GameChanger (@GetGameChanger) February 11, 2024

Three batters later, with Honnold on third, Julia Crenshaw hit a base hit to make it 2-0 Mizzou. After Crenshaw stole second, Katie Chester singled home Crenshaw for MU's third run of the inning.

It was then that Clemson starting pitcher Brooke McCubbin was pulled from the game. It was the first time in 13 career starts that McCubbin didn't make it out of the first inning.

After Krings kept Clemson scoreless in the top of the second, Mizzou added to their lead in the bottom half of the inning, as aggressive base running brought home another run. With one out, Gallagher singled, then stole second. Laird immediately followed with a single of her own, then stole second. While Honnold then grounded out to first, Gallagher was able to score from third.

The top of the third saw Krings get herself into another tight situation. Clemson singled twice to put runners on second and third with one out. However, Krings struck out Knowler and Logoleo to keep Clemson scoreless. 

After both teams went scoreless in the fourth inning, Clemson threatened once again in the top of the fifth. A hit-by-pitch, single and a walk loaded the bases with two outs. Maddie Moore ripped a ground ball to third, which careened right off of Kara Daly, scoring the runner from third to put Clemson on the board. That's all the damage that Clemson would inflict, however, as Lindsey Garcia flew out to Chantice Phillips in left to end the inning.  

Both teams went scoreless in the sixth, as Mizzou quelled Clemson with a smooth 4-6-3 double play. MU threatened in the bottom half of the inning, as pinch-hitter Stefania Abruscato reach first on a fielder's choice, then took second and third on a wild pitch and a passed ball. However, neither of Gallagher or Laird could bring her home, and the game remained at 4-1 heading into the top of the seventh.

After allowing a leadoff single, Krings shut the door, retiring the next three batters in order to end the game. 

While Krings wasn't as dominant as she was against Liberty -- she allowed six hits and four walks -- she still pitched a complete game with six strikeouts and one run allowed (which wasn't earned, as it was via an error by Daly).

Laird and Honnold both went 2-for-3, with Honnold registering two RBIs. 

The Tigers won't be back in action until next week, when they'll travel to Denton, Texas, for the Tracy Beard College Classic. Their opening games will be against Texas A&M-Commerce and South Dakota State on Friday at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. CT, respectively.

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