Harrison’s complete-game shutout lifts Mizzou to win over No. 20 LSU

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

After losing to No. 20 LSU by a combined 20 runs in the first two games of the series, the Mizzou softball team was due for a clutch outing in the circle.

Pitcher Cierra Harrison delivered just that, on Saturday, as the Tigers avoided getting swept with a 1-0 victory over the Baton Rouge Tigers. Harrison's dominance in the circle was everything for head coach Larissa Anderson and company, as the senior earned her ninth win of the year with a complete-game shutout. She fanned three LSU batters, while allowing just four hits.

That performance came just two days after giving up four runs to LSU in the series opener.

"She competed on every single pitch, like she was really locked in from the beginning," Coach Anderson said. "She had better stuff. She had a good bullpen yesterday in between the off start. But, she just really she owned it and she made a little adjustments with her changeup, which became really effective. She kept it down in the zone and that was able to keep them off balance, which she wasn't able to do on Thursday."

You can watch the full postgame press conference with Anderson in the video player below.

Both Coach Anderson and Harrison said that after Friday's 12-run loss to No. 20 LSU, the pitchers all met and had a much-needed meeting to talk about what they needed to do differently in this finale. Obviously, that conversation paid off.

"It was just kind of like a little wake up. think it was just a little bit of a mindset switch and to just come out and just compete," Harrison said. "Yesterday's conversation was just about the walks, just limit the walks and we have to be more competitive in every single at-bat. So, just throwing competitive pitches and limiting the walks and hitting let them hit it to our defense."

You can watch the full postgame press conference with Harrison in the video player below.

Harrison was backed up by some tremendous defense, as well. The defensive effort was highlighted by a pair of double plays in the fifth and seventh innings, led by third baseman Addy Waits and shortstop Madison Uptegrove.

"I have to give it to my defense today," Harrison said. "Like they made great plays today and had my back the whole game."

Thanks to Harrison's dominance in the circle, Mizzou didn't need to make too much noise at the plate. The Tigers tallied four hits, with first baseman Abby Hay driving in the lone run of the afternoon on an RBI single to short in the third inning.

Saturday's victory lifted Coach Anderson and company back over the .500 mark and snapped a two-game losing streak. Mizzou now sits at 21-20 overall and 5-7 in Southeastern Conference action.

Up next - Mizzou will take a break from midweek action and prepare for another SEC road trip. The Tigers will take on No. 11 Georgia in Athens for a three-game set. First pitch in the opener is set for 5 p.m. on Friday.