Larissa Anderson explains defensive frustration in SEC Softball Tournament championship game

As head coach Larissa Anderson says, Missouri prides itself on being a quality defensive team. When the ball is in play, taking care of business and getting outs is what she considers the Tigers’ bread and butter. But against Florida in the SEC Softball Tournament championship game, two errors have cost Missouri.

“Very uncharacteristic,” Anderson said on the defensive mistakes. “We pride ourselves on defense. We can’t give a time like Florida too many opportunities. In that one inning, we gave them five or six outs. We got to be able to make those routine plays behind our pitchers.”

Heading into the fifth inning, three of Florida’s four runs came in the second frame. A throwing error on a presumed routine groundball to shortstop put somebody on to start the inning. After a couple of fielder’s choices and a walk, Mia Williams hit a three-run home run to open the scoring.

A leadoff triple in the third put Florida in scoring position early. Another throwing error led to Florida’s fourth run, continuing to be a part of the uncharacteristic sloppy defense from Missouri.

With three innings remaining, Anderson understands her team will have to play clean the rest of the way in order to mount a comeback.

The pitching of Marissa McCann has certainly helped, though. She has pitched two innings of relief and allowed just one hit and walked none. Five of her outs have been via flyball and some with weak contact.

Exactly what Anderson wants from McCann as long as she’s in the circle.

“Just keep working both sides of the plate,” Anderson said when speaking to ESPN’s Holly Rowe in-between innings. “Spinning the ball so we have easy contact, we don’t want to have hard contact. And keep them off balance with our offspeed.”

Missouri still has time to overcome its mistakes. While the offense has not been great on the Plains — scoring eight total runs in three games heading into Saturday afternoon — they have been able to close out close games.

On the other side is a potential conference tournament trophy, something the Tigers have not done since joining the SEC. A Big 8 championship is back home in Missouri alongside three from the Big 12. However, nothing since making the move in 2012.

Coming back to make history would be an incredible moment for everyone involved, especially Anderson and her players battling it out.