CHARLESTON, S.C. – No. 17 Mizzou Softball (4-1) improved its early-season winning streak to four games, as it escaped with a 1-0 victory over USC Upstate in the Charleston Southern Tournament finale. Redshirt sophomore Madi Norman (Tipton, Mo.) was simply sensational in the circle, tossing a complete game shutout.

Norman was a factor in all four of the Tigers' victories this weekend, highlighted by her lights out performance Sunday against the Spartans. Her 7.0 innings and six strikeouts each established new career highs. Norman wrapped up her gem by retiring the final 10 batters she faced.

USC Upstate recorded two hits apiece in the first and third inning, threatening to strike first on the afternoon. In the top half of the third, the Spartans plugged the gab with a double and attempted to score from first. Mizzou's outfield relay worked to perfection, as senior Natalie Fleming (Silex, Mo.) fired a strike to senior Kirsten Mack (Riverside, Calif.) at home plate.

The Tigers bats started cold with the first seven hitters going down in order. Junior Paige Bange (Jefferson City, Mo.) finally broke Mizzou's slump with a solo home run to left in the third inning.

Up Next

Mizzou's early-season tournament schedule continues from Feb. 17-19 at the Arizona State Littlewood Classic. The Tigers will play five games over three days in Tempe, Ariz. Mizzou is set for a doubleheader in its Littlewood Classic opener, meeting South Dakota and Illinois State on Friday, Feb. 17.

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