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Regional softball ends for three Missouri colleges in D-II

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Missouri Western fell behind early and could not come from behind as they were eliminated 7-3 by Winona State in the NCAA Division II Softball Central Regional.

After falling behind 7-0 the Griffons broke through in the bottom of the fourth inning as Katie Klosterman doubled to right field scoring Shelbie Atwell. Sydney Washington singled to right field to drive home Klosterman in the next at-bat.

The Griffons cut the lead to 7-3 as Megan Korgie reached on a fielding error allowing Washington to score.

The Griffons finish with a 38-20 overall record on the season.

The No. 25 ranked University of St. Louis softball team saw Wayne State score six runs on seven hits in the bottom of the sixth inning to erase a 4-1 deficit and rally back for a 7-5 win over the Tritons in the NCAA Midwest Regional #1 championship game. The Tritons forced a deciding game two on the day after earning a 1-0 win earlier in the double-elimination tournament.

The heartbreaking loss ends the season for the region’s top-seeded team, while the fourth-seeded Warriors advance to next weekend’s Super Regional where they’ll face No. 2 seed Southern Indiana in a best of three series for the right to play in the NCAA DII World Series.

UMSL closes its season with a 42-15 record.

Earlier in the regional held in St. Louis the Tritons ended Truman State’s year with a 4-2 victory.  The Bulldogs season ended with a 40-23 record.

Missouri State pitcher tosses complete game no-hitter as Bears snap 10-game losing streak

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What a way to bust a slump!  The Missouri State softball team snapped a 10-game losing streak, beating 6th seeded Drake, 2-1, at the 2017 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament, Thursday afternoon at Marian Kneer Stadium.  The Bulldogs jumped on the board first, taking a 1-0 lead over the Bears in the bottom of the second after a Missouri State throwing error allowed Drake’s Tasha Alexander to reach home safely.  After that, the day belonged to Bears pitcher Holly Kelley.

She retired 14 hitters in a row after Drake scored and Missouri State went ahead on a two-run double by Mary Stephens.

Kelley threw the first complete-game no-hitter of the MVC Tournament in 27 years, and became the third pitcher in MVC Tournament history to throw a no-no in a complete game.

The Bears continue action in the MVC Tournament Friday at 1:30 p.m. against No. 3 seeded Southern Illinois.

#Mizzou softball picked for 9th in #SEC preseason coaches poll

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Florida, the two-time defending SEC regular-season champion, has been selected as the preseason favorite for the 2017 season after a vote of the 13 SEC head coaches in the annual preseason poll.  The Missouri Tigers were picked 9th as Mizzou Softball begins its quest for another deep NCAA postseason run on Feb. 10 with the Charleston Southern Tournament in Charleston, S.C.

 

A season ago, Mizzou made its 10th consecutive trip to the NCAA Regionals (2007-16). The Tigers’ dominating 3-0 weekend at University Field last May secured their eighth NCAA Regional Championship since 2008.

Mizzou also fared well in the final national rankings, placing 12th in the ESPN.com/USA Softball poll and 15th in the NFCA Division I Coaches/USA Today poll. The Tigers have ranked in the top 25 national polls for 129 consecutive weeks, dating back to the final poll of the 2008 campaign.

Points for the poll were awarded on a 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 basis. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team.

SEC teams begin action on Thursday, Feb. 9. The 2017 SEC Softball Tournament will take place May 10-13 at the Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn.

2017 SEC Softball Preseason Coaches’ Poll

(First-Place Votes in Parentheses)

 

Place School Points
1. Florida (9) 141
2. Auburn (2) 126
3. Alabama 118
  LSU (1) 118
5. Tennessee 98
6. Texas A&M (1) 83
7. Georgia 78
8. Kentucky 75
9. Missouri 53
10. Ole Miss 45
11. South Carolina 38
12. Mississippi State 28
13. Arkansas 13

Mizzou Athletics confirms Earleywine retained as softball coach: “Naturally, I’m relieved to have this process done.”

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Ehren Earleywine congratulations Maryville, MO. native Taylor Gadbois in a game earlier this season. (photo/Mizzou Athletics)

Ehren Earleywine congratulations Maryville, MO. native Taylor Gadbois in a game earlier this season. (photo/Mizzou Athletics)

The University of Missouri Office of Title IX and Civil Rights and the Department of Athletics have concluded the review process of the Mizzou Softball program and Head Coach Ehren Earleywine, who will continue as the program’s head coach.  As per University policy, details of the internal review are protected personnel files, and cannot be released publicly.  Athletics officials have offered the following comments regarding the matter:

HEAD SOFTBALL COACH EHREN EARLEYWINE

“Naturally, I’m relieved to have this process done, and I deeply regret the attention this has brought to our program and University.  I do understand that the University was obligated to review the allegations.  As I’ve said previously, I fully recognize that I need to improve in certain areas, and I am committed to working on those areas moving forward.  I’m grateful to have the opportunity to continue to coach this program, and I’ve said a thousand times, I love this place with all my heart and look forward to being the coach here for many years to come.  The support our program receives means so much, and I am grateful for our fans.  Hopefully, we can now refocus on maintaining the great softball tradition we have built here and put this in the past.”

INTERIM ATHLETICS DIRECTOR SARAH REESMAN

“We have an opportunity moving forward to build on the rich competitive success of the Mizzou softball program.  I look forward to working together with Coach Earleywine to provide a great total experience for our student-athletes.”

SENIOR ASSOCIATE AD TIM HICKMAN (SOFTBALL ADMINISTRATOR)

“We have had productive conversations with Coach Earleywine and he understands our expectations moving forward.  While the process was a lengthy one, we know it was thorough and fair, and we’re now at a place of resolution.  I am pleased to work together toward the continued success of our softball program under coach Earleywine.”

PRESS RELEASE:  MIZZOU ATHLETICS

Mizzou’s Crane and Fagan named 2016 NFCA All-Americans

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Emily Crane (photo/Mizzou Athletics)

Emily Crane (photo/Mizzou Athletics)

Mizzou Softball seniors Emily Crane and Sami Fagan  were honored as 2016 National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Americans, as announced Wednesday by the NFCA office.  Crane was named a First Team All-American, while Fagan earned Third Team All-American recognition. The senior duo become the 22nd and 23rd all-time individuals to claim All-American honors in Mizzou Softball history.

Overall, the Tigers have garnered 28 total All-American honors in their 42-year history. Crane becomes only the second individual to garner First Team All-American accolades in Tiger history, joining Chelsea Thomas (2011-13).

In 2016, Crane finished with  a .404 average with 64 runs scored, 15 doubles, one triple, 17 home runs, 61 RBI, 25 stolen bases, .516 on-base percentage and .801 slugging percentage. The Troy, Mo., native’s 2016 campaign numbers rank among the best ever in program history. Crane’s .404 average ranks T-8th, .801 slugging percentage ranks 2nd, 17 home runs ranks T-2nd, 64 runs scored ranks T-1st, 61 RBI ranks 5th and 15 doubles ranks T-7th.

Fagan hit .434 with 59 runs scored, 72 hits, 10 doubles, 11 home runs, 54 RBI, 26 stolen bases, .562 on-base percentage and .693 slugging percentage. Her .434 average this year was the second-highest single season average in program history. Fagan’s .379 career average ranks 3rd, 272 hits ranks 2nd, 191 RBI ranks 2nd, 74 stolen bases ranks T-9th, and 204 runs scored ranks 2nd.

Players go on the offensive to save Ehren Earleywine’s job “I would rather have a winning coach than someone who always gives me a hug after a home run.”

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Mizzou softball coach Ehren Earleywine

Mizzou softball coach Ehren Earleywine

The website freecoache.com has the support of Mizzou softball players and fans.  The website holds nothing back in going after Missouri’s Director of Athletics Mack Rhoades and “hostile feminists.”  Several members of the team feel this is a witch hunt to get a male coach removed, because certain players on the team are “unhappy with their performances thus far in the season and are looking for a person to blame.”

That assessment came in a letter from Mizzou softball’s Unity Council…a group of players selected by the team to represent the squad.

Read the letter here.  Mizzou Unity Council

The Unity Council points out, “Asking a coach to coddle us out of the interest of political correctness would not only insult us, but would keep Coach E or any other coach from properly instructing us. If you terminate Coach E on the grounds that he is disrespectful or degrading to his players, know that you are not doing so on our behalf, but out of your own interests of public relations.”

Current and former players are quoted on the website, showing support for Earleywine.

“He comes out here, he’s hard, he wants to win. What coach doesn’t? But I also think his winning attitude has won us a lot of games. I would rather have a winning coach than someone who always gives me a hug after a home run.”
— Taylor Gadbois, senior from Maryville, Mo.

“He had no problem in saying, ‘You need to do this to get better. That was something that I ended up enjoying through my four years … I knew that on days where, whether I was being told I was doing something good or being yelled at, whatever it might be, it was helping me become the player that I was.”
–Ashley Fleming, former player and now head coach at McKendree College

“Coach E has meant so much to me my whole career, and my relationship with him has grown every year, and supporting him means so much to me,”
—  Emily Crane, senior from Troy, Mo.

“It’s just heartbreaking to me that something that I put so much of myself into and the experiences that I have and the memories that I have are getting tarnished because of maybe a few people not understanding his coaching style. It’s really upsetting.”
— Chelsea Thomas, former player and now pitching coach at McKendree College.

Rhoades appeared on Missourinet affiliate KTGR in Columbia and Thursday afternoon and couldn’t offer much in the way of how this investigation is progressing.  Rhoades did say it was his duty to look into the accusations.

Mack Rhoades says the process is being handled fairly

Missourinet reached out to Rhoades on Friday morning and he said he could not comment on the situation at this time.

#Mizzou softball blows seventh inning lead, loses in extras to USC at the SEC Tournament

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14th ranked Missouri softball…seeded sixth in the SEC Tournament had the 11th seeded South Carolina Gamecocks down to their final out in the 7th inning when USC put together a four-run rally to force extra innings.  Then, Taylor Williams launched a three-run homer in the eighth inning to seal a 7-4 victory, knocking Mizzou out after day one.

Paige Lowary threw 104 pitches, 68 strikes and allowed eight hits and four runs across seven innings.  Danielle Baumgartner pitched the last inning.

Emily Crane went 2-for-4 for Mizzou.  Chloe Rathburn homered.

Four Mizzou softball players pick up SEC honors

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Emily Crane (photo/Mizzou Athletics)

Emily Crane (photo/Mizzou Athletics)

Senior Emily Crane (Troy, Mo.) claimed First Team All-SEC and SEC All-Defensive (right field) and Redshirt seniors Sami Fagan (Dunnellon, Fla.) and Taylor Gadbois (Maryville, Mo.) were each tabbed Second Team All-SEC members while first-year Tiger Regan Nash (Camden Point, Mo.) earned Freshman All-SEC honors.

Crane is entering postseason play with a .399 average, 16 home runs, 55 RBI and 22 stolen bases. Crane’s senior season power surge has brought new career highs in runs scored (57), home runs (16), RBIs (55), total bases (126), slugging percentage (.824), walks (36) and on-base percentage (.515).

Crane has also tallied back to back SEC All-Defensive Team honors for her outstanding play in right field. In her last three years as the Tigers’ everyday right fielder, Crane has 155 putouts, 12 assists and only three errors (.982 fielding percentage).

Fagan’s strong senior season earned her back to back Second Team All-SEC honors. The Tigers’ everyday shortstop is one of the SEC’s top overall threats, entering postseason play with a .424 average, 11 home runs, 49 RBI and 25 stolen bases. Fagan competed in the black and gold for three seasons (2014-16) but will leave as one of the most decorated hitters in program history.

Her .376 career average currently ranks third in Tiger history, while her 264 career hits, 186 career RBI and 199 career runs scored all rank second-best. Tuesday’s recognition marks Fagan’s third career honor by the conference, as she earned 2015 Second Team All-SEC and 2012 Freshman All-SEC accolades as well.

Gadbois is capping her outstanding career at Mizzou with a sensational senior campaign. Regarded as one of the nation’s fastest players, Gadbois has lived up to the billing with an SEC and NCAA-leading 51 stolen bases in 2016. Her 143 career stolen bases ranks second-most in program history, while her .375 career average ranks fourth.

Earlier this season, Gadbois joined Rhea Taylor (2008-11) as the only Tigers to ever record three 40-plus stolen base campaigns. Gadbois’ four stolen bases at Ole Miss (March 11) tied the single-game Mizzou Softball record and marked the most single-game stolen bases by an SEC player this season. Tuesday marks the second career conference honor for Gadbois, as she also earned 2014 First Team All-SEC accolades.

Nash, another renowned Tiger speedster, claimed her first career SEC honors on Tuesday. The Camden Point, Mo., native’s 18 stolen bases currently ranks 12th-best in the conference. Nash has been a model of consistency in her first-year campaign, hitting safely in 29-of-48 (60-percent) games while recording at least one stolen base in 16 contests.

Story–Mizzou Athletics

Everyone needs to take a step back and relax as Mizzou continues Earleywine review (PODCAST)

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Mizzou's softball team is standing behind their coach Ehren Earleywine (photo/Mizzou Athletics)

Mizzou’s softball team is standing behind their coach Ehren Earleywine (photo/Mizzou Athletics)

There was another protest tied to Mizzou athletics this weekend and this time it was the softball team. According to our Columbia affiliate, KTGR, players handed out a statement before Saturday’s home game against South Carolina saying they were playing under protest, because of an investigation by the athletic department against head coach Ehren Earleywine.

It appears a couple players complained to the athletics department about Earleywine’s coaching style, triggering the investigation. The department has had little to say, except that the review continues.

Earleywine said his team is unified, and despite the investigation and player protest, the team took two out of three from South Carolina at home this weekend.

Listen to Earleywine’s comments on my Pressbox Podcast

Here’s the letter the players released on Saturday.

Mizzou letterBefore anyone outside of the softball program or athletic department start pointing fingers and accusing one side or the other, or Coach Earleywine of wrong doing, consider the situation and the consider the parties involved.

[Read more…]

Postseason action for girls golf, tennis and softball, plus more on North Shelby’s first football win since ’09 (VIDEO)

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North Shelby football (file photo/Memphis Democrat)

North Shelby football (file photo/Memphis Democrat)

Today marks the first day of fall sports’ championships as girls golf is underway in Springfield and Joplin, the first of two days…two rounds…two classes.  The first pairings tee’d off at 9 a.m.  For results throughout the day, you can click on MSHSAA’s website.

Later this week, team tennis championships will get started on Thursday at the Cooper Tennis Complex in Springfield, followed by individual and double championships this weekend.

Softball wrapped up districts this week and sectionals start midweek and volleyball and other sports get rolling with district play.

Plus we hear from North Shelby Head Football Coach Todd Cripe after his Raiders football team defeated Missouri Military Academy 34-33, ending a 63-game losing streak that started back in 2009, but ended Friday night.