Freshman Stefania Abruscato lines a single in Saturday’s Mizzou win over Mississippi State. (Photo: Terrance Williams)

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WP: Laurin Krings – MIZ (11-7) LP: Aspen Wesley – MSU (11-5)

Paige Dale
Staff Writer

COLUMBIA, MO — Freshman Abby Hay delivered two clutch RBI basehits and senior Laurin Krings pitched a complete-game shutout to lead the No. 14-ranked University of Missouri softball team to a 4-0 win over No. 18 Mississippi State, Saturday night at the Mizzou Softball Stadium.

Hay, the current SEC Player of the Week, came to the plate with runners on base two separate times and both times lined basehits to score runs that helped Missouri first grab the lead, then later build its lead against Mississippi State’s always tough starting pitcher, Aspen Wesley.

And those runs proved to be more than enough for Krings, who had one of her best outings of the season, as she pitched all seven innings, and gave up no runs on three hits, with one walk and five strikeouts.

Mizzou shortstop Jenna Laird also had two hits, including a double that drove in a run. She also scored a run in the game as well.

When the game began, it was clear Krings was ready to have a special night, as she mowed down the Lady Bulldogs quickly in the first inning. And the Tigers capitalized on that energy by scoring two runs in the bottom of the first.

Alex Honnold and Maddie Gallagher both reached base ahead of Hay, who smacked a line-shot single into the left-field corner. Honnold scored easily to give Missouri the lead, but then Mississippi State’s left fielder let the ball get by her, which allowed Gallagher to score and put the Tigers up 2-0.

The score stayed that way until the fifth, when Laird led off with a single then advanced to third on a hit by Honnold. Hay came up with one out and lined a single up the middle that Mississippi State second baseman Salen Hawkins managed to field, but was unable to get anyone out. Hay made it to first safely and Laird scored to make it 3-0 Missouri.

Mississippi State didn’t get many scoring chances against Krings, but the Lady Bulldogs did get a runner on first with one out in the top of the sixth inning, with the top part of their lineup coming up. But Krings got out of the jam by forcing a double play ball to get out of the inning.

Mizzou added an insurance run in its half of the sixth. Chantice Phillips was on base and scored on Laird’s double to make it 4-0.

Krings (11-7) closed out the ninth to get her second complete-game, shutout victory of the season.

Mizzou is now 36-13 on the season and 9-10 in SEC play, while Mississippi State fell to 30-15 and 9-10. The two clubs are in a three-way tie with LSU for sixth place in the SEC standings.

Mizzou and Mississippi State will play Game 2 of their series on Sunday. First pitch is set for 5 p.m., and the game will be televised on the SEC Network.

SCORING SUMMARY

LogoTeamInningPlay DescriptionMSUMIZ
MizzouMIZ1stHay singled, advanced to second on an error by lf, advanced to third, RBI (2-1); Gallagher scored, unearned; Honnold scored.02
MizzouMIZ5thHay reached on a fielder’s choice, RBI (2-2); Honnold advanced to third; Laird scored.03
MizzouMIZ6thLaird doubled to center field, RBI (2-1); Phillips scored, unearned.04

MISSOURI TIGERS 2024 WOMEN’S SOFTBALL SCHEDULE

DateTimeAtOpponentLocationTV
April 28, 2024 (Sunday)5 p.m.Home#18 Mississippi StateMizzou Softball Stadium
April 29, 2024 (Monday)6 p.m.Home#18 Mississippi StateMizzou Softball Stadium
May 3, 2024 (Friday)5 p.m.Away#23 South CarolinaColumbia, S.C.
May 4, 2024 (Saturday)5 p.m.Away#23 South CarolinaColumbia, S.C.
May 5, 2024 (Sunday)2 p.m.Away#23 South CarolinaColumbia, S.C.
May 7, 2024 (Tuesday)TBANeutralSEC TournamentAuburn, Ala.