Tigers open up Mizzou Softball Stadium with first SEC series
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The MU softball team will pay at home for the first time in 2024, when the Auburn Tigers come to town over the weekend. Head coach Larissa Anderson and company will open up the gates to the Mizzou Softball Stadium as the No. 12 team in the land, sitting at 17-2 overall.
Anderson met with the media, ahead of the week's action, on Tuesday morning. She said that she and her players are amped to finally play at home and get the love from the home fans.
"When you hear that MIZ chant going throughout the entire stadium, it lifts and empowers the players and totally muffles the opposing team," she said.
You can watch the full press conference with Anderson in the video player below.
Before hosting Auburn, Mizzou will have to get through one midweek game, on Wednesday, against Kansas City. The Tigers will come into that game off of four wins in the Big Red Invitational in Lincoln, Neb. over the weekend. The group beat both Wichita State and Nebraska two times each, going 4-0.
"I thought it was really good to see that we put all the pieces together," Anderson said. "We had solid defense, we had some unbelievable plays...we had hitting all throughout our lineup. It was great to get to see a lot more production from the bottom of our lineup. Then, also, stellar pitching. We've seen a lot more arms being able to come out of the bullpen."
The depth of that bullpen is something Anderson said will be a game changer for her team in 2024. In addition to senior ace Laurin Krings, MU has gone to true freshman Marissa McCann and sophomore Cierra Harrison, as well.
"We have a lot of depth and we have a lot of versatility, so I can rely on, if our starter doesn't have it that day or the opposing team it's just not a really good match up, I easily can go to the bullpen to pull someone in that's gonna give a different look and I know they're gonna be competitive. So, it almost makes my job extremely difficult every single day on who to throw," Anderson said.
Anderson added that her team has had a lot of fun and has bonded quite a bit in their four weeks on the road, but they are ready to be home.
Mizzou will face Kansas City on Wednesday at 4 p.m. Then, the No. 12 Tigers will host No. 25 Auburn Friday-Sunday, March 8-10. First pitch on Friday is slated for 4 p.m.
