Missouri
1-2
Liberty
0-3
Softball Posts a Double-Dose of Victories on Day Two of NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic
2/7/2026 9:38:00 PM | Softball
The Tigers defeated No. 21/23 Liberty in six innings, 13-2, and bested BYU 9-6 on Day Two in Clearwater.
Mizzou softball (2-2) rebounded with two wins on the second day of the NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic as it run-ruled Liberty (0-3), 13-2, and rounded out the day with a 9-6 victory over BYU (1-4) on Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Eddie C. Moore Complex in Clearwater, Fla.
The bats came alive, as the Tigers scored in bunches with 22 total runs in two games, outscoring their opponents 22-8.
Mizzou 13, Liberty 2 – 6 Innings
The Tigers posted an offensive spark behind the first career start for freshman Abby Carr. Carr threw all six innings for MU, had a no-hitter heading into the final inning, and finished with two hits and two runs allowed; the freshman also recorded five strikeouts.
Mizzou got on the board early in this one thanks to a great day from junior Abby Hay. Hay finished with two RBIs, as she posted the opening run with the Tigers' first home run of the season in the 2nd. She would later earn her second RBI in the 5th inning with a double to left center.
All the batters were able to get involved in this one, as eight of the nine starters were able to reach base safely. Seven players were able to earn four RBIs, as freshman Sidney Forrester continued to excel at the plate, going 2 for 3, including a bases-clearing double in the 6th inning.
The Tigers scored in every inning but the first, and really opened the floodgates in the sixth, as junior Stefania Abruscato started the scoring with a single, and Forrester's double followed suit. Carr would only add to her stat sheet in this inning, as she picked up an RBI to further her own run support. Senior Kayley Lenger and freshman Addy Waits scored the 11th and 12th runs after being hit by a pitch, and the score would finalize with a wild pitch.
Mizzou 9, BYU 6
In the second game, BYU would open it up with the initial score in the first inning, before Hay took one deep, but this time to the opposite field. MU would earn the lead thanks to a defensive error by the right fielder to score two runs and make 3-1.
For the remainder of the game, the Tigers would be in control, as the Cougars would keep it close with their power, as four of their remaining five runs came via a home run.
The fifth inning would be the defining inning, as Mizzou scored five and BYU scored four. Carr would get her first career RBI on a double to left center, and sophomore Sophie Smith and Abruscato singled in runs. The Tigers would get one more thanks to a fielding error as sophomore Nevaeh Watkins scored the ninth run.
Senior Cierra Harrison would start the game and go four and a third innings, allowing two runs, and striking out four. Junior Marissa McCann would finalize the game with two and two-thirds innings with four runs allowed and five strikeouts to her name.
GAME NOTES
- Freshman Abby Carr recorded her first career start, and freshman Addy Waits posted her first career hit.
- This is the highest-scoring game for the Tigers since March 16, 2025, when they won 17-0 against Kansas City.
- The Tigers improve to 5-0 against Liberty and 3-2 against BYU.
- Head coach Larissa Anderson is now 374-221-1.
NEXT UP
- Mizzou will finalize its time at the NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic at 12 p.m. CT against South Alabama on Field 8 at the Eddie C. Moore Softball Complex here in Clearwater, Fla.
- That game against the Jaguars will be broadcast live via the MLB Network.
FOLLOW THE TIGERS
- For all the latest on Mizzou Softball, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team @MizzouSoftball (X, Instagram, Facebook).
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Carr, Abby (1-0)
L: K. Yoder (0-2)
Batting:
2B: Waits, Addy 1 ; Forrester, Sidney 2 ; Hay, Abby 1 ; Sokoloski, Haidyn 1 ; Uptegrove, Madison 1 ; Lenger, Kayley 1
HR: Hay, Abby 1
RBI: Waits, Addy 1 ; Abruscato, Stefania 1 ; Forrester, Sidney 4 ; Hay, Abby 2 ; Uptegrove, Madison 1 ; Lenger, Kayley 2 ; Carr, Abby 1
SH: Abruscato, Stefania 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Waits, Addy 2 ; Abruscato, Stefania 1 ; Cahalan, Claire 1 ; Jackson, Emma 2 ; Hay, Abby 1 ; Sokoloski, Haidyn 1 ; Watkins, Nevaeh 1 ; Uptegrove, Madison 1 ; Lenger, Kayley 2 ; Hill, Saniya 1
SB: Lenger, Kayley 1
CS: Abruscato, Stefania 1 ; Koller, Adi 1
HBP: Waits, Addy 2 ; Lenger, Kayley 3
PO: Abruscato, Stefania 1
Batting:
2B: S. Whatley 1
RBI: S. Jessee 2
SH: S. Jessee 1
Base Running:
RUNS: A. Carrasqui 1 ; S. Whatley 1
