Mizzou second baseman Maddie Gallagher makes a play as a Kansas baserunner slides past during Wednesday’s Border Showdown game. (Photo: Terrance Williams)

NCAA Softball1234567RHE
#16 Missouri (23-6)0102000362
Kansas (19-8-1)0000002272

WP: Cierra Harrison – MIZ (9-1) LP: Katie Brooks – KU (9-2) SV: Taylor Pannell – MIZ (4)

Paige Dale
Staff Writer

LAWRENCE, KS — The No. 16 University of Missouri softball team controlled the action for most of the game, then held on for the final three outs to secure a 3-2 win over rival Kansas, Wednesday afternoon, in the annual Border Showdown game at Arrocha Ballpark.

Missouri scored a run early to get the lead, added two more midway through to grab firm control, then held on late, as Kansas attempted a comeback, for a thrilling victory over the upstart Jayhawks.

The win improved Missouri’s record to 23-6 and ended a three-game losing streak for the Tigers. Kansas, which had won six in a row, but saw its record drop to 19-8-1.

Mizzou got its runs on an RBI basehit by freshman Madison Walker in the second inning, and an RBI groundout by Jenna Laird and an RBI double by Alex Honnold in the fourth.

The Tiger pitching staff made those three runs stand up.

Sophomore starter Cierra Harrison (9-1) got the win in the circle, after pitching four innings of shutout ball by giving up zero runs and just three hits. Junior Laurin Krings came in and tossed two shutout innings.

Sophomore Taylor Pannell pitched the seventh and got into some trouble, giving up two unearned runs on two hits. But she still got the save — her fourth of the season — after securing the final out on a swinging strikeout of KU slugger Campbell Bagshaw.

Scoring Summary

LogoTeamInningPlay DescriptionMIZKU
MissouriMIZ2ndMadison Walker singled to right field, RBI (2-2 KBSB); Maddie Gallagher scored.10
MissouriMIZ4thJenna Laird grounded out to 2b, RBI (3-2 BKBFBF); Kayley Lenger advanced to second; Claire Cahalan scored.20
MissouriMIZ4thAlex Honnold doubled to left field, RBI (0-0); Kayley Lenger scored.30
KansasKU7thBruno, O. reached on a fielding error by ss, 2 RBI (2-2 BBKK); Cripe, H. scored, unearned; Buzard, S. scored, unearned.32

MISSOURI TIGERS 2024 WOMEN’S SOFTBALL SCHEDULE

DateTimeAtOpponentLocationTV
March 22, 2024 (Friday)5 p.m.Home3 LSUMizzou Softball Stadium
March 23, 2024 (Saturday)2 p.m.Home3 LSUMizzou Softball Stadium
March 24, 2024 (Sunday)1 p.m.Home3 LSUMizzou Softball Stadium
March 26, 2024 (Tuesday)1 p.m.NeutralFordhamHempstead, N.Y.
March 26, 2024 (Tuesday)3:30 p.m.AwayHofstraHempstead, N.Y.
March 28, 2024 (Thursday)3 p.m.AwayGeorge MasonFairfax, Va.
March 30, 2024 (Saturday)9 a.m.AwayVillanovaVillanova, Pa.
April 3, 2024 (Wednesday)4 p.m.HomeSoutheast MissouriMizzou Softball Stadium
April 3, 2024 (Wednesday)6:30 p.m.HomeSoutheast MissouriMizzou Softball Stadium
April 5, 2024 (Friday)5 p.m.Away16 ArkansasFayetteville, Ark.
April 6, 2024 (Saturday)NoonAway16 ArkansasFayetteville, Ark.
April 7, 2024 (Sunday)2 p.m.Away16 ArkansasFayetteville, Ark.
April 10, 2024 (Wednesday)4 p.m.AwayDrakeDes Moines, Iowa
April 12, 2024 (Friday)5 p.m.Home17 FloridaMizzou Softball Stadium
April 13, 2024 (Saturday)12:30 p.m.Home17 FloridaMizzou Softball Stadium
April 14, 2024 (Sunday)2 p.m.Home17 FloridaMizzou Softball Stadium
April 17, 2024 (Wednesday)5 p.m.HomeSIU-EdwardsvilleMizzou Softball Stadium
April 19, 2024 (Friday)5 p.m.Away6 GeorgiaAthens, Ga.
April 20, 2024 (Saturday)1 p.m.Away6 GeorgiaAthens, Ga.
April 21, 2024 (Sunday)1 p.m.Away6 GeorgiaAthens, Ga.
April 27, 2024 (Saturday)8 p.m.HomeMississippi StateMizzou Softball Stadium
April 28, 2024 (Sunday)5 p.m.HomeMississippi StateMizzou Softball Stadium
April 29, 2024 (Monday)6 p.m.HomeMississippi StateMizzou Softball Stadium
May 3, 2024 (Friday)5 p.m.Away23 South CarolinaColumbia, S.C.
May 4, 2024 (Saturday)5 p.m.Away23 South CarolinaColumbia, S.C.
May 5, 2024 (Sunday)2 p.m.Away23 South CarolinaColumbia, S.C.
May 7, 2024 (Tuesday)TBANeutralSEC TournamentAuburn, Ala.