Jenna Laird and Mizzou Softball Continue to Rack up Wins

Jenna. Laird.

Remember that name. If you are at all familiar with Mizzou Softball, you should know her already. For yet another week — her third honor this season — Jenna was named SEC Freshman of the Week, this time for her performance in the Mississippi State series.

Why, you ask? According to MUTigers.com’s release:

In the first game of the series, she homered in each of her first two at bats, giving Mizzou a 3-0 lead in the third. In the sixth inning, Laird made back-to-back diving stops to help Mizzou get out of a jam and preserve the victory.

In game two of the doubleheader, Laird ripped two doubles, again driving in the first run of the game. In the finale, she drove in the game winning run in the bottom of the sixth with a single up the middle, scoring Imani Myint from second.

Laird went 2-for-3, scored twice and drove in at least one run in all three games of the series.

So... she’s good, huh?

From Eric Blum’s article in the Trib, when asked about her performance in the series,Jenna said:

“I was just really hoping to make contact every single time because I hadn’t been doing the best at the plate,” Laird said, despite her .431 batting average. “That’s really what I did this weekend.”

Mission accomplished.

Blum also examined how the recent series win, heading into the last of their 11 day, 8-game homestand against UMKC (or just Kansas City, as I think they are called now), is crucial for a team that hopes to host a super regional next month.

Also important down the stretch? The team’s potent offense.

In regards to the offensive firepower of a lineup— out the 10 usual starters in the Tigers’ lineup, everyone has a batting average at of least .283, and six of them have an average of .317 or higher — Coach Larissa Anderson said:

“With our offensive power, we’re never out of a game,” Anderson said. “As long as we have one out, we have an opportunity to be able to tie it up or win. And that just shows you the fight that they have. And they truly believe in one another all the way through.

Here’s hoping the Tigers can keep it up and find themselves hosting a regional game come NCAAT time. And that they beat Kansas City today. The game is at 3pm and will be on SEC Network+.

One last thing before I go...

“The evidence of our eyes met at last by accountability in the eyes of justice.” — Stacey Abrams

On to the Links.

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Yesterday at Rock M

• In Part Three of Nate (the Great)’s heavily researched argument on expanding The Playoff, this time stating that the College Football Playoff, unlike most other sports playoffs, is not a meritocracy. This one is really good. AND... we still have one left!!!
• Draft Profiles continue, and Aaron wrote one for Larry Three Sticks, while BK wrote about Damon Hazelton.
• COMING UP: Matt has written up a novel on Boogie Coleman. It’s a good read, and goes into a variety of skills he developed through high school and college.

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More Links:

Football/Hoops

• These videos are so fun. In another episode of “Eating wings while answering LDW’s questions,” coaches Erik Link and Marcus Johnson are getting grilled. And no, a hot dog is NOT a sandwich. That is just crazy.

• LaDazhia may have only been at Mizzou one season thus far, but she’s already found herself in the record books.

• A perfect companion tweet to go along with Matt’s upcoming story on Boogie Coleman.

Softball

• Another week, another Top 20 ranking!

• Softball has been saluting its seniors all week. Next up... Hatti!

• Thank you, Cayla!

Other Mizzou Sports

• Joshua Reneau of the Missourian recapped the soccer win over kU, writing that despite their struggles on offense, the Tigers managed to scrape out a win to finish the season. This was coach Bryan Blitz’s last game at the helm of the Tigers. According to Eric Blum of the Trib, Blitz is at peace with this decision now that the Tigers have gotten back to a good place.

• Men’s Golf is set to tee off in the SEC Championships, according to the Missourian’s Calum McAndrew. The Tigers face stiff competition, despite the fact that the team is on a hot streak, and will face 8 of 14 competitors in Golfstat’s top-25 ranked teams. The top 8 teams after three rounds of SEC stroke play make it to the next round of match play. MUTigers.com has a preview as well.

• Track’s Skylar Ciccolini earned SEC’s Freshman of the Week honors for her performance in the javelin at the War Eagle Invitational this past weekend, which also broke a school record. According to the MUTigers.com release, Skylar’s 56m throw also ranks fifth in the nation and second among SEC competitors. Congrats, Skylar!

Other Local News

• According to Dave Matter, Mizzou graduation will be in person.

• Forever Mizzou fan favorite, Laurence Bowers, is doing some cool things. He’s started a clothing line, with proceeds going to multiple organizations. Super cool.

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