In Game 1 of the most important series of Mizzou Softball’s year, the Tigers couldn’t find an answer for back-to-back SEC Pitcher of the Year Karlyn Pickens losing 3-1 against No. 9 Tennessee on Thursday at Mizzou Softball Stadium.
The Lady Vols have proven all year that they are no easy task. For starters, No. 9 Tennessee’s three starting pitchers — Sage Mardjetko, Erin Nuwer and Pickens — rank in the top 11 in the country for earned run average. On the other side of the ball, the Lady Volunteers
have six batters batting a .290 or better, a threshold that only three Mizzou batters hit. With wins needed for a chance at a playoff bid, Mizzou coach Larissa Anderson knew what she was coming into but she is more focused on taking things one pitch at a time.
“We can only control what we do in the moment,” Missouri coach Larissa Anderson said after the game. “If we focus on the end result we’re getting caught up in the prize. Rory McIlroy said it best during the Masters, ‘process over prize’.”
With the loss, let’s break down the scenario.
With NCAA rules saying that a team must finish at or above .500 for a chance at an at-large NCAA Tournament bid, Mizzou had some work to do coming into the weekend.
If the Tigers find a way to win out and finish 2-1 against Tennessee, it won’t need a win in the SEC Tournament.
If Mizzou goes 1-2, it’ll need one win in the SEC Tournament (likely against a lower-tier SEC team).
If the Tigers go 0-3, it needs to make an SEC Tournament run.
Safe to say plenty was on the line coming into this series for Mizzou.
The Tigers elected to go with Cierra Harrison for Game 1 while Tennessee went with Mardjetko.
Harrison started strong but struggled to make it late into the game, allowing two runs in the fifth and one run in the sixth. She finished allowing eight hits, two earned runs and three strikeouts through five innings.
The highlight of the day for Mizzou was a solo shot from Stefania Abruscato to lead off the sixth inning. Other than the run during the sixth, MU really struggled to find much offense.
The Tigers put on the pressure early following three walks in the first on Mardjetko — something that isn’t typical of one of the top pitchers in the country. Following the third walk, the Lady Vols elected to replace Mardjetko with Pickens. Saniya Hill was in a two-out bases loaded opportunity but flied out at the warning track. Despite leaving three runners on base, Hill was pumped.
“I think it’s pretty remarkable that we knocked out their starter in the first inning,” Anderson said. “(Hill’s) energy, I mean, she has such a spark and can carry that positive energy that’s going to influence everyone else to believe that they can do it.”
Pickens shut the door all game allowing just four hits, one walks and one earned runs over 6.1 innings. She also pitched five straight strikeouts during the fourth and fifth frame.
In what started as a clear sky quickly turned into rain clouds and the game was put on a rain delay just 10 pitches into the game. The delay lasted about 30 minutes but thanks to quick work from the equipment crew, the game was up and running fast.
Pickens, who is known for her speed, was throwing mid 70s against the Tigers.
“I mean we faced one of the best pitchers in the world,” Anderson said. “That’s how good Pickens is. We got beat with good movement.”
Mizzou put itself in another good spot with two on and none out in the bottom of the third, but failed to bring in any runs which seemed to be the story of the Tigers’ life this game.
It wasn’t till the fifth inning where a run was scored. In what was Tennessee’s first pinch hit of the game, Makenzie Butt hit a two RBI single to put the Lady Vols on the board.
The wheels seemed to be falling off when Harrison allowed a lead-off homer to Alannah Leach in the top of the sixth. After two more got on base, Anderson elected to make the switch to Abby Carr in the circle. She made quick work of the inning with a double play then a Abruscato defensive play at the plate for the final out. The freshman finished the game allowing two hits and zero runs through two innings coming in for relief.
The Tigers knocked on the door in the bottom of the seventh with two-on and none out but failed to find the last hit.
Mizzou (27-27, 8-14 SEC) will look for revenge in Game 2 of the series against No. 9 Tennessee (41-8, 15-7) at 6 p.m. Friday at Mizzou Softball Stadium.
