No. 7 Seeded Softball to Face No. 10 Duke in 2024 NCAA Columbia Super Regional - University of Missouri Athletics (2024)

Will Burris/Mizzou Athletics

Softball 5/23/2024 4:34:00 PM

COLUMBIA, Mo. –The No. 7 seed University of Missouri softball team (47-16) will host No. 10 Duke this weekend in the 2024 NCAA Columbia Super Regional. The Super Regional will start Friday at 1 p.m., CT at the Mizzou Softball Stadium.

Mizzou will host postseason for the second-straight weekend after capturing the 2024 NCAA Columbia Regional with four-straight victories after dropping the Tigers opener. The Tigers became just the 11th team in NCAA history to advance out of their Regional after dropping their first game.

The Tigers welcomed over 3,000 fans to the Mizzou Softball Stadium each day of the Regional including a Regional-best record 3,445 fans on May 19. Mizzou totaled a program-best 10,016 fans over the three-day Regional.

Mizzou will open the Super Regional with Duke Friday at 1 p.m., CT. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN2 with Pam Ward and Jenny Dalton-Hill on the call all weekend

Game two will follow on Saturday at noon on ESPN before Sunday's, if necessary, game (TBA).

Mizzou will host a Super Regional for the first time since 2021 and sixth time overall. Mizzou will make its 10th Super Regionals appearance in program history. The Tigers are 8-13 all-time.

Overall, Missouri is competing in its 17th-straight NCAA Tournament (27 total regional appearances) this season.

The Tigers will look to reach the NCAA Women's College World Series for the seventh time in program history. Mizzou's last appearance came in 2011 when the Tigers were No. 9 overall seed.

Mizzou was ranked 10th in the USA Today/NFCA Coaches Poll and ninth in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Poll last week. Mizzou first appeared in the National Polls following week one on Feb. 13. The Tigers are also sixth in RPI and 10th for toughest schedule.

Missouri ranked fourth in the NCAA in 2024 with an average attendance of 2,520. Mizzou has setthe single-game attendance record and single-weekend attendance record twice this season including most recently against Florida (9,565 weekend attendance, April 12-14, 3,607 single game, April 13).

2024 COLUMBIA SUPER REGIONAL SCHEDULE

• Friday, May 24 - Game 1: 1 p.m., CT– #7 Mizzou vs. #10 Duke
• Saturday, May 25 -Game 2: Noon, CT – #7 Mizzou vs. #10 Duke
• Sunday, May 26 -Game 3: TBD (If Necessary) – #7 Mizzou vs. #10 Duke

2024 COLUMBIA SUPER REGIONAL

Location:Columbia, Mo. (Mizzou Softball Stadium)

Live Stats:NCAA

Live Video:ESPN2 (Friday)| ESPN (Saturday)

Radio:KTGR

Tickets

Game Notes: Mizzou(PDF)| Duke (PDF)

Twitter:@MizzouSoftball

DUKE SERIES HISTORY

• Mizzou will face Duke for the first time in program history this weekend.

NCAA TOURNAMENT HISTORY

• Mizzou will make its 10th Super Regionals appearance in program history. The Tigers are 8-13 all-time.
• The Tigers advanced to Super Regionals for the first time since 2021.
• Mizzou has hosted Super Regionals five times prior; this upcoming week will mark the sixth time hosting for the Tigers.
• The Tigers last advanced through their home Regionals in 2021, going 3-0. That season the Tigers fell to James Madison in Super Regionals.
• Laurin Krings picked up the last Mizzou Super Regional win in the circle, allowing just one run on four hits with 10 strikeouts on May 29, 2021 (7-1 Win over JMU). Jenna Laird added a double in that victory before adding a home run in the Super Regionals finale on May 30, 2021.
• The Tigers will look to reach the NCAA Women's College World Series for the seventh time in program history. Mizzou's last appearance came in 2011 when the Tigers were No. 9 overall seed. Missouri also finished fifth at 1981 AIAW Nationals.
• Mizzou hosted a Regional for the third time in four seasons as the Tigers previously last hosted in 2022. It marked the 13th Regional in Columbia for Missouri.
• Overall, Missouri is competing in its 17th-straight NCAA Tournament (27 total regional appearances) this season. The Tigers are 58-33 in Regionals.
• Mizzou went to the 2023 NCAA Norman Regional, going 1-2 with a win over California.
• Mizzou last hosted Regionals in 2022, going 2-2 in a field against Missouri State and Arizona.
• Head coachLarissa Andersoncompeted in her fifth Regional (third time hosting at MU) and her second Super Regional (second time hosting) at Mizzou. She is 13-7 in Regionals with the Tigers. Overall, it is Anderson's seventh career Regional and second career Super Regional.

LAURIN KRINGS

• Senior Laurin Krings started all four of Mizzou's 2024 NCAA Columbia victories, posting a 3-0 record with a 0.56 earned run average. She also struck out 24 batters over 25.0 innings of work (364 pitches), allowing just two earned runs on 15 hits and five walks.
• Krings went the distance for the Tigers in the Regional Championship Game, scattering four hits across a career-best nine innings (128 pitches) while striking out a season-high 15 batters in the complete-game shutout. She factored into both games May 19 against Omaha, throwing a total of 16.0 innings with no runs and 18 strikeouts.
• Broadway Diner in Columbia, Missouri, was offering 15 K-Rings (15 strikeout onion rings) for $3.64 (Krings' total pitch count) this week.

MADISON WALKER

• Madison Walker came up with two huge hits over Mizzou's 2024 NCAA Columbia Regional Championship finale games.
• The freshman from Olathe, Kansas, knocked a pinch-hit single down the right field line in the seventh to put Tigers on the corners in game one against Omaha on May 19 as Missouri would score five-unanswered runs to force a decisive winner-take-all Regional Final.
• Walker then provided Mizzou the walk-off win in game two with Omaha, lacing an RBI single up the middle. She came on as a pinch hitter and secured the victory in the ninth.
• For Walker, a first baseman, the hits on May 19 were her first since March 26 against Fordham in Hempstead, New York.
• She has appeared in 39 games this season (29 starts) and is batting .242 (.667 over the Regional). Walker is roommates with fellow freshman first baseman Abby Hay.

2024 NCAA COLUMBIA REGIONAL

• After dropping its 2024 NCAA Columbia Regional opener, Mizzou rallied off four-straight elimination game victories to claim the Championship.
• The Tigers became just the 11th team in NCAA history to advance out of their Regional after dropping their first game, coming back from a 3-1 extra-inning setback to the Mavericks on Friday.
• Mizzou eliminated Indiana with a 5-1 win to commence Day 2 of the Regional on May 19. The Tigers tallied two runs in the top of the first and never gave their lead back.
• Home runs fromAbby Hayin the second andJenna Lairdin the third carried the Tigers in their second victory of the day, 4-1, over No. 13/15 Washington.
• Trailing Omaha, 1-0, in the Regional Finals opener on May 19, Jenna Laird notched an RBI groundout to even the game and start a five-run seventh.
• Alex Honnold added a two-run homer before Julia Crenshaw singled through the left side to complete the comeback, 5-1.
• In the Regional Finals Championship game, Madison Walker broke a scoreless tie in the ninth with an RBI single for the walk-off win to propel Mizzou into the Super Regional.
• Jenna Laird led Mizzou over the Regional, batting .412 with her first homer of the season and first since April 29, 2022. She also had a .647 slugging percentage and two RBI.
• Abby Hay and Alex Honnold (two RBI, .529 slugging percentgae) each finished the Regional, batting .353. Hay, a freshman from Columbia, Missouri, knocked a double and a homer for four RBI with a .588 slugging percentage.

1500 PROGRAM WINS

• Mizzou picked up its 1,500-win in program history in game one against Omaha on May 19 to become the 15th program in NCAA history to reach the milestone and second SEC school(Texas A&M, 1893-827-2).
• Missouri is 1501-816 in program history.
• Mizzou's 47 wins in 2024 ranks tied for fourth in program history, as the Tigers also reached the threshold in 1995, 1997, 2008 and 2012. The 47 wins (.746, t-7th) are also the most for Mizzou during its SEC era (2013 to current).
• Mizzou's 47 wins are the most for head coach Larissa Anderson at the helm of Missouri.

ALL-REGION TIGERS

• The Tigers earned 2024 NFCA Division I Southeast All-Region honors, the organization announced May 18.
• FreshmanAbby Haywas listed on the Southeast Second Team All-Region, while seniorsLaurin KringsandAlex Honnoldwere tabbed to the Southeast Third Team All-Region.
• The three selections are the most for Mizzou since the Tigers earned four in 2022. Honnold earned her second-straight All-Region honor while it was the first career laurel for Krings and Hay, respectively.
• Honnold is second on Mizzou with a .348 batting average to go with a Missouri program-record 21 doubles and 37 RBI.
• Hay is hitting .318 in her first collegiate season with a .523 slugging percentage.
• Krings leads the Mizzou pitching staff with a 16-8 record to go with a 2.33 ERA and 139 strikeouts over 171.0 innings.

ALL-SEC TIGERS

All-Tournament Team

• SeniorsMaddie Gallagher,Laurin Krings,andJenna Lairdwere named to the 2024 SEC All-Tournament Team.
• For Laird and Krings, it marked their second career appearance on the All-Tournament Team as the duo also appeared on the list in 2022. The honor marked the first career postseason SEC (playing) honor for Gallagher.
• Laird has now earned eight SEC postseason honors (four-time All-SEC player) while it was the second career postseason SEC honor for Krings who was also named to the 2024 SEC All-Defensive Team.
• Laird led Mizzou at the 2024 SEC Tournament, batting .429 with four runs, two doubles, two stolen bases and a .571 slugging percentage.
• Gallagher chipped in three RBI with two runs, a double and a homer while slugging .583. She was also named to the 2024 SEC Community Service Team.
• Krings went 1-1 over three starts (12.2 innings), striking out three with a 1.66 ERA.

All-SEC Second Team

• Jenna Laird,Alex HonnoldandAbby Haywere named to the All-SEC Second Team.
• Laird was named to her third-straight All-SEC Second Team (four-time All-SEC player). The Tigers leadoff hitter from East Meadow, New York, hit .282 during the SEC season, with 22 hits, 14 runs, eight RBI, four doubles and five stolen bases.
• Honnold was selected to her second-straight All-SEC Second Team. She was second on Mizzou during conference play, hitting .288 with 21 hits, 13 runs, 11 RBI, five doubles and two homers. She also compiled a .438 slugging percentage (.376 on-base percentage) with six stolen bases.
• Hay, a freshman from Columbia, Missouri, was named to her first career All-SEC Team. She paced the Tigers in SEC play, batting .318 with 14 hits, nine RBI, six runs and three home runs. Hay also slugged .591 (.423 on-base percentage).
• Hay is the third member of her family to receive all-conference honors at Mizzou as her father, John Hay, was an All-Big Eight catcher on the baseball team, and her mother, Amy (Smethers) Hay, was a three-time All-Big Eight golfer.

SEC All-Defensive Team

• PitcherLaurin Kringsand right fielderKayley Lengernabbed spots on the SEC All-Defensive Team. It marked their first career SEC All-Defensive Teams.
• Krings, a senior pitcher from Loveland, Colorado, registered a 1.000 fielding percentage in SEC play (22 assists, three putouts, zero errors).
• Lenger, a sophom*ore right fielder from Liberty, Missouri, posted a fielding percentage of 1.000 during SEC play this season (45 putouts, zero errors).

• With the trio of All-SEC Second Team performers, Missouri's five selections are the most All-SEC selections (Second Team and All-Defensive) since eight in 2021 (also had three All-SEC selections and two SEC All-Defensive Team picks that season).

2024 SEC TOURNAMENT RECAP

• Mizzou went 3-1 at the 2024 SEC Tournament, advancing to the Championship Final.
• The Tigers opened their stay at Auburn, Alabama, with a 3-1 win over Ole Miss on May 8.Laurin Kringswas efficient in the circle, allowing just one earned run on three hits to go with a walk on 79 pitches.
• Leadoff batterJenna Lairdpaced the Tigers at the dish, going 2-for-3 with a run, a walk, and a stolen base against Ole Miss.
• Alex Honnoldnotcheda two-run double to right center before an RBI base hit fromAbby Hay.The double marked Honnold's 21st of the season as she continues to improve on the Mizzou single-season record.
• Mizzou secured a spot in the 2024 SEC Tournament Semifinals May 10, edging fourth seeded No. 16/13 Arkansas, 3-1.
• Jenna Lairdpaced Mizzou at the plate with a 2-for-4 outing with two runs, a double and an RBI.
• Cierra Harrisonpitched five innings for the win, allowing just one earned run on four hits with a pair of strikeouts. She improved to 14-3 in 2024.
• Harrison was relieved forMarissa McCannin the bottom of the sixth with two on and no outs. After letting up a single to load the bases, McCann retired the Razorbacks with an infield fly before consecutive strikeouts to deny the threat.
• CloserTaylor Pannellfinished the job, picking up her NCAA-leading 14th save of the season. She is one save away from tying the NCAA single-season record.
• Maddie Gallagherknocked a walk-off sacrifice fly in the eighth inning to propel the fifth seeded Tigers to the 2024 SEC Tournament Championship game, as Mizzou overcame eighth seeded No. 10/9 LSU, 2-1, in extra innings.
• Gallagher who was responsible for both of Mizzou's runs May 10, blasted a deep fly to right field to score Laird. Gallagher tallied her team-leading ninth multi-RBI game to help the Tigers walk-off LSU. She blasted her career-best third round tripper of the campaign (five career home runs).
• Taylor Pannell, the NCAA saves leader, closed out the final 1.1 innings for the victory. She improved to 3-1 in 2024 and picked up her second win in her last four appearances.
• Mizzou then fell to second seeded No. 8/7 Florida, 6-1, May 11at Jane B. Moore Field in the 2024 SEC Tournament Championship game.
• Julia Crenshawpaced MizzouMay 11, going 2-for-3 with a double.
• Mizzou made its third SEC Tournament Championship appearance in program history (2024, 2022, 2013)and second appearance in three seasons.
• Missouri is now 11-10 overall at the SEC Tournament (7-3 in the past three tournaments).

QUICK HITTERS

• The Tigers head into Super Regionals with a 47-16 record (13-11 SEC).
• Missouri has surpassed both its overall win (35) total and SEC win total (7) from 2023.
• Mizzou's 47 wins in 2024 ranks tied for fourth in program history, as the Tigers also reached the threshold in 1995, 1997, 2008 and 2012. The 47 wins (.746, t-7th) are also the most for Mizzou during its SEC era (2013 to current).
• Mizzou's 47 wins are the most for head coach Larissa Anderson at the helm of Missouri. Anderson has registered 40-plus wins twice, previously posting a 42-17 record in 2021.
• Missouri's 13 SEC wins in the 2024 campaign are the most since 15 in 2021.
• Mizzou is ranked 10th in the USA Today/NFCA Coaches Poll and ninth in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Poll. Mizzou first appeared in the National Polls following week one on Feb. 13.
• Jenna Laird (71 hits, 56 runs, 13 doubles, 19 stolen bases) paces Mizzou with a .355 batting average in the leadoff slot. Laird ranks fourth in the SEC with 71 hits in 2024 followed by Alex Honnold (70, fifth). Laird's 19 stolen bases rank fourth in the SEC.
• Alex Honnoldis second on Mizzou, hitting .348 with an SEC-leading, Mizzou-record 21 doubles (sixth in NCAA) in 2024. She also has notched 70 hits, 37 RBI, six homers, two triples for a .562 slugging percentage.
• FreshmanAbby Hayis third on Mizzou with a .318 batting average (28 hits, four doubles, four homers, 19 RBI, .523 SLG%).
• Jenna Lairdpaces Mizzou with 24 multi-hit games whileMaddie Gallagherand Alex Honnold top the team with nine multi-RBI games.
• Jenna Lairdhas appeared in a Missouri program-best 243 consecutive games (all starts, Hatti Moore, 236 games, 2018-22).
• Alex Honnold'stotal career-doubles sits at 50, which is tied for fifth in Mizzou program history with Emily Crane (2013-16).
• Alex Honnoldranks second on the Tigers with 19 multi-hit games.
• Abby Hay has reached base in 12-straight games followed by Jenna Laird (9, four-game hitting streak) and Alex Honnold (5).
• Laurin Kringshas 55 career wins which ranks tenth in Mizzou program history for wins.
• Laurin Kringsranks in the top-10 in Mizzou program history for appearances (133, eighth), innings pitched (587.1, ninth), strikeouts (591, sixth) and wins (55, 10th).
• In 2024,Laurin Kringsranks eighth in the SEC with 171.0 innings pitched. She is also 10th with a strikeout to walk ratio of 3.31, 10th for strikeouts (139) and 12th for wins (15).
• Freshman pitcherMarissa McCannranks seventh in the SEC with a 1.85 ERA followed byCierra Harrison(2.05, 10th). Harrison is also 11th in the league with three shutouts and 14th for wins (14).
• Kayley Lengeris first in the SEC with 21 HBP (fourth in the NCAA).
• CloserTaylor Pannellranks first in both the SEC and in the nation with 14 saves in 2024. She is also the NCAA active leader in the category with 20. Pannell is one save away from matching the NCAA single season record of 15 (Taylor Bauman, FGCU, andMallory Aldred, Canisius) after surpassingKacey Marshall's Mizzou record (12 saves in 1994) and tying the SEC record (Kellie Wilkerson, MSU, 14, 2002).
• Kara Dalypaces Mizzou with seven home runs in 2024. The junior third baseman surpassed 100 career RBI (104) over the South Carolina series.
• Jenna Lairdranks in the top 10 in Mizzou program history for career batting average (.354, fifth), at bats (783, third), hits (277, third), doubles (49, seventh), runs (198, fourth) and stolen bases (83, fifth).
• The one-two punch ofLaurin KringsandCierra Harrisonhave combined for 30 wins in the circle with 16-8 and 14-3 records, respectively. The duo has also gone the distance in the circle 13 times (nine and four complete games, respectively).
• Lilly Whitten(5-0, 1.18 ERA),Marissa McCann(8-4, three saves, 1.85 ERA) andTaylor Pannell(4-1, 14 saves, 0.66 ERA) have also picked up wins for Mizzou in 2024.
• Mizzou's pitching staff ranks 10th in the NCAA with an ERA of 1.96 (second in SEC).
• Jenna Lairdis two runs away from 200 in her career.
• Laurin Krings is nine strikeouts away from 600 in her career.
• Alex Honnold is four walks away from 100 in her career.
• Alex Honnoldsurpassed 200 career hits at Mizzou over the 2024 SEC Tournament.
• Head coachLarissa Andersonregistered her 200th win at the helm of Mizzou (216-113) during the midweek at Drake (4/10). In her sixth season at Missouri, Anderson holds a career record of 346-186-1 over 10 career seasons.

2023 RECAP

• Mizzou made its 16th-straight NCAA Tournament appearance in 2023.
• The Tigers finished the 2023 season with a 35-26 mark, including a 7-17 in SEC play. With its 2023 record, Missouri has registered 35 wins in four of the last five seasons (2020 COVID-19 shortened season was the only time the Tigers didn't meet the threshold in that span).
• During the 2023 campaign, Missouri totaled 51 home runs, while logging 75 doubles to go with 310 runs as a team.
• On the dirt, Mizzou tallied a .978 fielding percentage. The clip ranks second in program history, after the Tigers' surpassed their previous .976 fielding percentage from 2022.

FOLLOW THE TIGERS

• For all the latest on Mizzou Softball, stay tuned toMUTigers.comand follow the team @MizzouSoftball (Twitter,Instagram,Facebook).