Mizzou drops SEC home opener to Oklahoma
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Mizzou Softball is still searching for its first win of SEC play this season.
The Tigers (17-13) lost their series opener 8-0 to No. 1 Oklahoma (28-0) in five innings. Friday's defeat was the team's first loss at home this year.
MU's current three-game series with the Sooners marks the first time that the program has hosted the No. 1-ranked team in the nation at Mizzou Softball Stadium, which opened in 2017. Before that, the team's last three-game set against the country's top-ranked program was in 2015 against the Florida Gators at University Field.
Oklahoma quickly silenced the home crowd in the opening inning. After two of the team's first three batters reached base, courtesy of a leadoff walk and single, Gabbie Garcia belted a three-run shot over the right field wall to give the Sooners a 3-0 lead.
However, MU starting pitcher Marissa McCann bounced back, following that home run in the first frame. The sophomore right-hander retired the next 10 batters that she faced to keep the Sooners from extending its lead.
Mizzou threatened to cut into Oklahoma's three-run advantage in the third frame. Julia Crenshaw lined a single into left field to put runners on second and third base with two outs, but Sam Landry escaped the jam by forcing Madison Walker to ground out to Garcia. Crenshaw's single was the only hit that Landry allowed in the contest, finishing the game with a five-inning shutout and four strikeouts.
The Sooners proceeded to end the game early in the fifth inning, scoring five runs on a pair of home runs from Nelly McEnroe-Marinas and Ella Parker to put themselves in position for a run-rule victory. Landry sat the Tigers down in order in the home half of the frame to hand Mizzou a series-opening loss.
McCann was charged with the loss, giving up seven runs on seven hits during her 4.1-inning start. She also tallied four strikeouts.
Jayci Kruse relieved McCann midway through the fifth frame but allowed a three-run home run to the first batter that she faced. The California native settled down after that, striking out two of the final three batters that stepped into the batter's box.
Up next - The Tigers will seek to even the series against Oklahoma on Saturday, March 22. First pitch in front of Mizzou Softball Stadium's first sellout crowd of the season is scheduled for 2 p.m.
