COLUMBIA, Mo. — The University of Missouri softball team (18-9) swept Illinois (16-9) in its Braggin’ Rights doubleheader Tuesday at the Mizzou Softball Stadium. Led by strong pitching performances from Jordan Weber and Laurin Krings, the Tigers topped Illinois, 3-2 and 7-0, Tuesday.
Missouri 3, Illinois 2
Game 1 of the doubleheader was highlighted by starting pitcher Jordan Weber’s complete game —holding Illinois to only two runs on three hits. Alex Honnold went 2-for-4 with a single, double, run and an RBI in Mizzou’s 3-2 opener over Illinois.
The two teams battled in a pitcher’s duel, only allowing a combined six hits in the game.
The Tigers would get on the board early, scoring two on a throwing error on a bunt single by Chantice Phillips to put the Tigers up 2-0 in the first frame.
Mizzou added to its lead with an RBI double from Honnold to grow the margin to three runs in the fifth.
Illinois got on the board with an RBI from Kelly Ryono, in the sixth before a homer from Stevie Meade in the top of the seventh to make it a 3-2 ballgame.
After surrendering the leadoff home run, Weber was able to close the game with a pair of strikeouts bookending a fly out.
Weber finished with a season-high five strikeouts over seven innings. She improved to 4-4 in 2023 (36-20 in her career).
Sydney Sickels was credited with the loss, allowing three runs on three hits with nine strikeouts and a trio of hit batters.
Missouri 7, Illinois 0
Game 2 of the doubleheader was highlighted by Laurin Krings’ complete-game shutout in the circle for the Tigers. Kara Daly registered a double and triple to go along with four RBI in the Tigers’ 7-0 finale win.
The Tigers struck first with an RBI double from Alex Honnold in the bottom of the first. Mizzou then added to its lead with an RBI double by Kara Daly to bring home Honnold.
The Tigers’ lead grew in the bottom of fifth with a five spot. Julia Crenshaw was hit by a pitch to score Maddie Snider with the bases loaded.
Two batters later, Daly belted a three-run triple before an RBI single from Maddie Gallagher capped the scoring at 7-0.
Krings finished with a season-high 11 strikeouts in the complete-game shutout. She let up just three hits to improve to 7-4 in 2023 (34-16 in her career).
GAME NOTES
- In the first game, Mizzou held Illinois hitless through five innings. Starting pitcher Jordan Weber pitched a complete game, her longest outing of the season.
- Jordan Weber punched out five batters in Game 1 — her highest strikeout performance of the season.
- Mizzou committed zero errors over the doubleheader — 17 games in 2023 without a miscue.
- Alex Honnold went 2-for-3 in Game 1, notching her ninth multi-hit game of the season.
- Chantice Phillips went 1-for-2 in Game 1, her ninth game of the season with at least one hit.
- Alex Honnold, Jenna Laird, and Megan Moll each scored in Game 1.
- Laurin Krings struck out 11 batters in Game 2, her fifth game this season with five-plus strikeouts.
- Maddie Gallagher had two hits (2-for-3) in Game 2, her third multi-hit performance of the season. She also had a RBI.
- Kara Daly had two hits in Game 2, her fifth multi-hit performance of the season. It marked her 14th two-hit game as a Tiger.
- Kara Daly also compiled four RBI and a run.
- Jenna Laird and Alex Honnold each added hits and two runs, respectively, in Game 2.
UP NEXT
- Mizzou will have the remainder of the week off before traveling to Gainesville, Florida, for a weekend series with the Gators First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m., CT Friday.
