Mizzou softball star announces return for 2027 season

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Tiger freshman phenom Abby Carr isn't done making memories at the Mizzou Softball Stadium. On Sunday, the pitcher announced she will be back for the 2027 campaign.

In a social media post, the Wildwood, Missouri native said, "Coming home means something different when it's the place that helped shape who you are. Proud to be from the Show-Me State. Proud to wear Mizzou across my chest. Proud to represent people, families, and communities that make Missouri so special. There's no place like home."

Carr turned the heads of softball fans around the nation with her elite play both in the circle and in the batter's box, in her first collegiate season. In 2026, she appeared in all 56 games - starting in 35 as the designated player, starting in two as the pitcher and another two games as the right fielder. She led the Tigers in ERA (2.92), saves (5), home runs (12) and RBIs( 44), ending her true freshman season with a .293 batting average and a .372 on-base percentage.

In the circle, the pitcher held a record of 6-5, as she logged 74. 1 innings and struck out 69 batters. Carr allowed her opponents to amass a team-leading .235 batting average.

As a result of her tremendous freshman season, Carr was named a 2026 Softball America Freshman All-American after the season wrapped up, as well as earning a spot on the 2026 NFCA Midwest All-Region Second Team.

She is the first player from head coach Larissa Anderson's 2026 roster to officially announced their return for the 2027 campaign.