Mizzou softball falls to Auburn after late collapse, misses out on NCAA Tournament

Mizzou’s final chance went out with a whimper, as Abruscato walked but was the only baserunner in the final inning. The Tigers recorded no runs and only three hits across the final six innings after two runs and two hits in the first.

Here’s how it started.

Addy Waits led off the bottom of the first inning by drawing a walk on a full count, advancing to second on a passed ball. Abruscato put a second runner on base with a walk of her own. Carr lifted a ball into deep left field for a double, pushing home the first run of the game. Hay struck out for the first out of the inning before Sidney Forrester scored Abruscato with an RBI single. The early momentum came to a halt after a groundout and strikeout off Auburn starter Ella Harrison.

Missouri’s best chance for any more runs came during the bottom of the fourth. Saniya Hill led off the bottom of the inning with a single before advancing to third with the help of a wild pitch and a fielder’s choice. Pinch hitter Gracie Britton reached first on a grounder to the pitcher that was misplayed as Auburn tried to throw out Hill diving back to the base. Pinch runner Claire Cahalan stole second, putting two runners in scoring position with one out. But Mizzou couldn’t add to its lead after a strikeout and a DEEP flyout to center from Waits ended the inning.

The Tigers continued to struggled stringing together hits, finishing the game 2-12 with runners on base and 1-5 with a runner on third and less than two outs. The five hits came from five separate players, with Carr recording the only extra base hit of the game. Abruscato had a strong game at the plate, drawing two walks while scoring a run. Her defensive miscues later in the game, will be most memorable in this one.

Now at 28-29, Mizzou’s season has officially come to a close as they will miss the NCAA Tournament with a below-.500 record. This marks the second season in a row they’ve missed the Big Dance and the first time they’ve done so in back-to-back seasons since a 3-year drought from 2000-2002. (Madam Editor was in college at Mizzou the last time this happened, you guys.)

After an optimistic push to close the season, that has all come crashing down with this loss. While the future is bright with only four departing seniors (Harrison being the main blow), it begs the question of what the Tigers can do to get back to not only making the NCAA Tournament, but competing to host a regional as a top 16 team in the sport.