Crimson Tide Sweeps Mizzou in Dominant Softball Series
The University of Missouri softball team faced a tough challenge on the road this weekend, as they were swept in a three-game series by the No. 15 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide at Rhoads Stadium. The series, which concluded on Sunday, April 27, 2025, saw Alabama showcase their strength both offensively and defensively, ultimately leading to three consecutive losses for the Tigers.
The final game of the series was a 2-0 shutout victory for the Crimson Tide. Alabama’s pitcher, Jocelyn Briski, delivered a stellar performance, allowing only five hits and no walks across a complete seven innings. The Crimson Tide broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fifth inning when Lauren Johnson hit a two-out single up the middle, allowing Audrey Vandagriff to score from first base. Alabama added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth, courtesy of a solo home run by Brooke Ellestad. Mizzou struggled to generate offense, managing only five hits in the game and were unable to capitalize on any opportunities to score. The game ended with a 4-6-3 double play by the Alabama defense, sealing the shutout and the series sweep.
The second game of the series, played on Saturday, April 26, was a more dramatic affair, ending in a 7-6 walk-off victory for Alabama. Mizzou took an early lead in the first inning with a solo home run by senior catcher Julia Crenshaw. However, Alabama responded quickly, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first, highlighted by a bases-clearing double from Brooke Ellestad. The Crimson Tide extended their lead to 6-1 by the end of the fourth inning. Mizzou began to fight back in the sixth, with sophomore Madison Walker hitting a two-run home run. In a dramatic top of the seventh inning, with two outs and two runners on base, Crenshaw hit her second home run of the game, a three-run shot that tied the score at 6-6. However, Alabama responded in the bottom of the seventh. After two singles, an errant throw on a Kendal Clark ground ball allowed the winning run to score, securing the series victory for the Crimson Tide.
The first game of the series, played on Friday, April 25, saw Alabama take a 4-2 victory. The Crimson Tide jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, with Brooke Ellestad again driving in three runs with a bases-loaded double. Mizzou responded in the top of the second with a solo home run by Taylor Ebbs. Alabama added another run in the bottom of the fifth with a solo home run by Audrey Vandagriff. Mizzou managed to score one more run in the top of the seventh on a wild pitch, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Alabama’s lead.
This series sweep marks Alabama’s first over Missouri since 2019 and their first Southeastern Conference (SEC) series sweep of the season. With these results, Alabama’s season record improves to 35-18 overall and 11-10 in the SEC. For Mizzou, the series loss drops their overall record to 23-29 and their SEC record to 4-17.
Looking ahead, Mizzou will return home for their final SEC series of the regular season, facing No. 24 Georgia starting on Thursday, May 1. Alabama will travel to Columbia, South Carolina, for a three-game series against No. 11 South Carolina, beginning on the same day.
General Information about College Softball
College softball in the United States is governed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Teams are divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II, and Division III, with Division I being the highest and most competitive level. The regular season typically runs from February to May, culminating in conference tournaments and the NCAA Women’s College World Series in June.
The SEC is widely considered one of the premier conferences in Division I softball, consistently featuring highly ranked teams and producing national champions. Teams within the SEC play a rigorous schedule against some of the best competition in the country.
A typical college softball game consists of seven innings. Key positions include pitcher, catcher, infielders (first base, second base, shortstop, third base), and outfielders (left field, center field, right field). Pitching is a crucial aspect of the game, with pitchers aiming to strike out batters and prevent them from reaching base. Offensively, teams aim to score runs by hitting the ball and advancing runners around the bases.
The NCAA Women’s College World Series is the pinnacle of the college softball season, featuring the top eight teams from across the country competing in a double-elimination tournament to determine the national champion. The event draws significant attention and showcases the highest level of collegiate softball talent.
