‘Intent’ the difference-maker for No. 13 Mizzou softball in 2024
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Mizzou softball coach Larissa Anderson said 'intent' will be an overused word for her through the season, however, that's the only way to describe the 2024 Tigers.
No. 13 MU is undefeated, 10-0, to kickoff the year, which is the program's best start since the 2009 season when the Tigers went 50-12 overall. Anderson attributed a lot of that fast start conversations her squad had before the season even started.
"From day one, the first meeting that we had in the fall that we came on campus, Julia Crenshaw said we need to trust the process," Anderson said. "We need to trust what our coaches are telling us, we need to trust the preparation, we need to trust that we're always doing the right thing. That if it's about recovery, that we're doing those things so we can rebound. Just the buy-in that everyones' doing the right thing for the success of the program and no doubt it. They've done that."
You can watch the full press conference with Anderson in the video player below.
Anderson said that's where it becomes a lot easier at practice, as well. She doesn't have to motivate her team or give them a reason why they are doing something. They just do it.
To start the year, Mizzou has played in two college classic and has defeated a couple of Top-25 teams in Utah and Clemson.
"They have unbelievable passion for the game and each other and that's contagious," Anderson said. "When you have trust in your teammates and what you're doing every single day and the effort everyone's putting in since they stepped foot on campus in August, it's easy to go out and play well."
The Tigers will need to bring their A-game to the annual Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in California Feb. 22-24. Anderson and company will be meeting San Diego State, Wisconsin, Central Florida, California State Fullerton and No. 22 Baylor in the four days they are in Cathedral City.
Defensively, Anderson said she wants to see her players pick up the pace. She felt they played a bit slow on that side of the ball in the last tournament, but also attributed some of that to fatigue.
Mizzou and San Diego State will play in the first game of the classic on Thursday, Feb. 22. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m. central time.
