McCann tosses a perfect game in Mizzou’s win over SIUE

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Before Wednesday night's game against SIUE, there had only been 12 perfect games thrown in Mizzou softball history. But after a 7-0 win over the Cougars, the Tigers added lucky No. 13 to that list.

Junior pitcher Marissa McCann spun her first collegiate perfect game, in a pitching masterclass against SIUE. The third-year player retired every batter she saw, throwing for all 7.0 innings and not allowing any hits, runs or walks. It is the first perfect game for this Mizzou program since 2022, when Tiger alum Laurin Krings threw a perfect game against Bradley.

This is the first time since 1991 that Missouri has completed a perfect game and a no-hitter against the same opponent in the same season, and the third time in program history, after pitcher Cierra Harrison no-hit the Cougars at the end of March.

Meanwhile, the SIUE pitching staff could not slow down the Tiger offense.

Mizzou grabbed the first lead out of the gates, thanks to an RBI single off the bat of Rock Bridge alum Abby Hay to go up 1-0. Then, in the third, catcher Stefania Abruscato gave her team some breathing room with her eighth home run of the season. That solo shot put MU up 2-0.

Head coach Larissa Anderson's team really put the game away in the fifth and sixth innings, plating a combined five runs. Those innings featured Claire Cahalan score on an SIUE throwing error, a Saniya Hill RBI single, an Abby Carr RBI single and a two-run homer for Hay. The Columbia native finished the day going 3-for-4 with the team-best three runners brought in.

The win over the Cougars moved Mizzou to 25-24 on the season.

Up next - Coach Anderson and company will take a road trip to Fayetteville to meet the rival Razorbacks. First pitch in the series opener between Mizzou and No. 6 Arkansas is set for 5 p.m. on Friday.