Softball Falls at No. 15/20 Alabama Saturday

Saturday, April 26

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

8 p.m. CT

University of Missouri

23-28, 4-16

15/20 Alabama

34-18, 10-10

Missouri

Alabama

Julia Crenshaw_BANNER_20250323_SB_vsOklahoma_ZN-57.jpg

4/26/2025 10:48:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Final Statistics (PDF)

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – University of Missouri softball senior catcher Julia Crenshaw launched a career-best matching two home runs – including a game-tying three-run shot in the seventh – but it wasn't enough as the Tigers dropped a 7-6 decision to No. 15/20 Alabama Saturday night at Rhoads Stadium.

With the loss, MU moves to 23-28 in 2025 and 4-16 in SEC play. Alabama secured the series win and improved to 34-18 this season and 10-10 in league games.

Crenshaw paced Mizzou in all phases of the game Saturday evening, going 2-for-3 offensively with four RBI (eighth multi-RBI game in 2025) over the pair of home runs for her team-leading 16th multi-hit game in 2025. The O'Fallon, Missouri, native, previously had two homers against BYU on Feb. 23, 2023.

With the two home runs Saturday, she now has a career-best 14 in 2025 (seven in SEC play in 2025) which surpasses her combined home run total of 13 over her first three seasons (1 in 2022, 9 in 2023, 3 in 2024) as a Tiger.

Defensively, Crenshaw registered her SEC-leading ninth runner caught stealing and made a highlight reel diving catch of a bunt in foul territory.

Crenshaw is currently on a six-game reached base streak (three-game hitting streak).

She opened the scoring Saturday with her fifth leadoff home run of the season to provide Mizzou a 1-0 advantage in the first.

The Crimson Tide then responded with six consecutive runs to pull ahead 6-1 in the fourth. Brooke Ellestad notched a three-run double in the first before a two-run homer from Kali Heivilin and an RBI single from Lauren Johnson.

Madison Walker then cut the deficit in half with her 18th home run of the season (sixth in SEC play in 2025). Walker, a sophomore from Olathe, Kansas, connected on a two-run homer in the sixth.

She now sits alone at third all-time in the Mizzou single-season record books for home runs. Walker will move into tied for second with Kimberly Wert (19 in 2019) with another and can match the single-season record of 20 set by Amanda Renth (20 in 2008) with two.

Walker finished Saturday 2-for-3 with two RBI for her team-high 12th multi-RBI game this season. She is currently on a five-game hitting streak after her 10th multi-hit game in 2025.

Down to their final out in the seventh, the Tigers had two on following a pinch hit single from Mya Dodge to set the stage for Crenshaw.

Crenshaw evened the contest at 6-6 with a three-run blast over the center field wall.

The Crimson Tide then secured the win in the bottom of the seventh on a MU miscue.

Abby Hay pushed her reached base streak to six games with a walk.

Taylor Ebbs extended her reached base streak to eight games with a double (eighth in 2025).

Kara Daly has hit safely in three-straight games.

Cierra Harrison made the start Saturday, allowing five runs on three hits over two innings for the no-decision.

Marissa McCann relieved Harrison and allowed just one run on four hits with four strikeouts over four innings.

Taylor Pannell was assessed the loss (5-8 in 2025), as she surrendered zero earned runs on two hits over 0.2 innings.

UP NEXT

Mizzou next concludes its SEC road series at No. 15/20 Alabama Sunday. First pitch at Rhoads Stadium is 2 p.m., CT in the series finale.
The Tigers then return home to face No. 24/24 Georgia, May 1-3 over Senior Weekend at Mizzou Softball Stadium. First pitch is set for 6 p.m., CT on Thursday, 5 p.m., CT on Friday and 1 p.m., CT on Saturday.

FOLLOW THE TIGERS

For all the latest on Mizzou Softball, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team @MizzouSoftball (X, Instagram, Facebook).
The Diamond Club is accepting new members. Email MAF@missouri.edu or call 573-882-0704 to join.
Join us in Expanding the Tradition of excellence in Mizzou Softball! This special initiative focuses on building a Rock M at Mizzou Softball Stadium, a centerpiece of Tiger pride. The Rock M debuted this season at Mizzou Softball Stadium.