Coming out of its weekend at the NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic, Missouri softball is 2-3, marking a rather disappointing start to its 2026 season. Yet, head coach Larissa Anderson seems to have optimism about what she saw from her team.
Two of the Tigers’ losses came in extra innings, while the third came against the No. 5 team in the country who was backed by one of the best pitchers in the nation. Despite their record, Missouri’s pitchers kept the Tigers competitive the entire weekend and the offense showed multiple flashes as the weekend went on.
“For the first time being outside, I was extremely happy,” Anderson said . “I see where our potential is, we’re not even close to it as a whole.”
That potential surfaced early through freshman two-way player Abby Carr who was named to the NFCA Leadoff Classic All-Tournament team after an amazing weekend in both the pitcher’s circle and the batter’s box.
Carr finished the weekend with a 1.35 ERA, pitching 10.1 innings and striking out eight. In her first career start, against No. 23 Liberty, Carr carried a no-hitter until the final inning and even got an RBI after driving in a run via a walk. In Mizzou’s Sunday matchup, Carr was the first player to get points on the board, hitting a solo home run to left center to put the Tigers up.
“What I absolutely love about it is the creativity that I can manage the game,” Anderson said in regards to Carr’s two-way ability. “It gives me a lot more creativity that I can get more people in the game, but maximize how they’re going to contribute.”
The biggest thing for Anderson is to not burnout Carr too early as a freshman, while also making sure she gets reps in both the pitching circle and the batter box.
While the pitching and defense allowed Missouri to stick in close games, the offense was up and down throughout the weekend. After Friday, the Tigers only had five hits through two games. They responded resoundingly the next day with 22 hits before ending the weekend against South Alabama with seven.
“We had some really good moments on Saturday, we played extremely well and we were very aggressive,” Anderson said. “Yesterday we were a little bit on the defensive side so hoping to have a good practice tomorrow and get out there to start off the weekend at UCF on Wednesday.”
A weakness identified by the coaching staff coming into the season was discipline at the plate. To solve the problem, Missouri brought in new hitting coordinator and former Mizzou baseball player Jake Epstein to help fix the issue.
Unlike in baseball, the distance between the pitcher and the batter is a lot closer, meaning pitchers are more accurate. As such, being able to identify the strike zone and understand what’s a strike and what’s a ball, is even more important in softball.
“Yesterday, we didn’t stay as disciplined and we just got a little defensive,” Anderson said. “(We) tried to put the ball in play, rather than trusting and picking out a pitch and just putting a really good swing on it.”
That’s where coach Anderson thinks the team could improve. Specifically the freshman and young batters.
“I think it’s the maturity of the hitter, when you have experienced hitters they’re not trying to do too much, they can simplify it.” Anderson said. “I think the younger inexperienced hitters, they’re trying to do everything.”
An experienced player who showed what it looks like to simplify the game this past weekend was Abby Hay. The former Rock Bridge softball player, in her first season at Mizzou, batted .306 with 30 hits, five homers and 23 RBI. Yet those numbers dipped a season ago as injuries plagued her 2025. After opening weekend, however, Hay looked far closer to her freshman year self.
Hay hit .375 over the weekend with six hits, two home runs and six RBI. She became a key hitter for a lineup that struggled at times to get offense going. Her approach at the plate, too, is what stood out for coach Anderson.
“That’s the discipline that I’m talking about, being able to make the adjustments, not only what pitch you’re looking for, but what pitch you’re trying to eliminate,” Anderson said. “I think Abby did that extremely well this weekend.”
Taken together, Missouri proved this weekend that it has a pitching staff that can keep them competitive, discipline to put pressure on opposing defenses and the talent to swing things in their favor. If they can close tighter games, be more consistent batting and capitalize on opportunities, the wins will start coming.
Looking ahead, Missouri will stay in Clearwater, Florida with a game against UCF on Wednesday before they battle in the Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational this weekend where they will play against some fierce competition including FAU, UCLA and Duke.