Mizzou suffers shutout loss to Kansas in midweek action

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Mizzou Softball's latest meeting with Kansas has ended in the visitor's favor.

The Tigers (18-16) stranded seven base runners and scattered just four hits against Kansas (15-12), leading to a 3-0 loss at Mizzou Softball Stadium. Following Wednesday's loss, MU wraps up its 10-game homestand with seven victories, including a signature win over then-No. 1 ranked Oklahoma.

Cierra Harrison's start in the circle began on a sour note. The junior right-hander allowed hits to each of the first four batters that she faced, including a three-run home run to Hailey Cripe that made the difference in the outcome. Harrison settled down after that, striking out the next three batters to end the frame. The Lee's Summit North graduate pitched just two innings before exiting the contest.

MU had two excellent opportunities to cut into its three-run deficit in the first two frames, though. Julia Crenshaw and Sophie Smith each hit a leadoff double to begin the first and second innings, setting the table for the Tigers to load the bases in both of those frames. However, Kaelee Washington escaped both jams without allowing a run, striking out Madison Uptegrove and forcing Madison Walker to ground into a double play to end the threats.

Marissa McCann relieved Harrison and kept Kansas off the scoreboard for the rest of the game, tossing five shutout innings and giving up just one hit while posting six strikeouts. However, Stefanie Abruscato's single in the sixth inning was the only hit that the team would record in the final five frames.

Up next - MU is hitting the road for its next SEC weekend series. The Tigers begin a three-game set against No. 21 Ole Miss (26-6) on Saturday, March 29 at 2 p.m. in Oxford, Mississippi.