Softball ready for another run
It’s finally game day for the Mizzou Softball team. The Tigers are kicking off the 2016 season this weekend at the Citrus Classic in Kissimmee, Fla. at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Missouri won its opener 8-0 over Jacksonville State on Friday afternoon and will play a total of six games in three days. Coming off a 42-16 season and their ninth straight year in finishing in the top-20 final national polls, the Tigers again look promising under head coach Ehren Earleywine. Earleywine is beginning his 10th season at head coach.
Look out for outfielder Emily Crane, who was named to the Top 50 Watch List for the 2016 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award. The Troy, Mo. native finished her 2015 season with a .363 average, three home runs, 26 RBIs and 28 stolen bases. In addition, Crane was named to the All-Southeast Region Second Team, First Team All-SEC and SEC All-Defensive Team honors.
The 2015 Freshman All-SEC pitcher, Paige Lowary (Dallas Center, IA), and junior Tori Finucane (Germantown, M.D.) will be the dynamic duo for the Tigers’ pitching staff this season. In the 2015 season, Lowary posted a 3.40 ERA and 164 strikeouts in her 162.2 innings pitched. After completing six games and adding four saves her freshman year, Lowary was named a 2015 USA Softball Jr. Women’s National Team member.
Finucane finished the 2015 season with a record of 21-8 with a 3.03 ERA and 140 strikeouts in her 155.0 innings pitched. The Tigers’ ace was named to the 2015 Second Team All-SEC. Other members of the pitching staff include freshman Danielle Baumgartner (Mexico, Mo.) and junior Cheyenne Baxter (Norborne, Mo.).
The 2016 dynamic is predicted to be powerful again this season. Three of the four biggest will be back and Mizzou will add freshman Rylee Pierce (Visalia, Calif.) and junior transfer Chloe Rathburn (Mission Viejo, Calif.).
Here is this weekend’s Citrus Classic Mizzou Softball schedule:
Friday, Feb. 19 12:15 p.m. [CT] vs. Jacksonville State (Won 8-0)
Friday, Feb. 19 4:45 p.m. [CT] vs. Elon
Saturday, Feb. 20 2:30 p.m. [CT] vs. UAB
Saturday, Feb. 20 4:45 p.m. [CT] vs. College of Charleston
Sunday, Feb. 21 9:00 a.m. [CT] vs. Stephen F. Austin
Sunday, Feb, 21 11:15 a.m. [CT] vs. Stetson
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