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Around the Bases: Feb. 7, 2025

Screenshot 2024-07-31 at 7.46.34 PMby:Brady Vernon•about 11 hours•

BradyVernon

delaware
Courtesy of Delaware Athletics

Around the Bases is Softball America’s free daily recap of the day’s biggest games. We’ll highlight four marquee matches and run toward the plate with other notable moments.

No. 15 Missouri 3, No. 18 Northwestern 0

The Tigers might not have Laurin Krings, Alex Honnold and Jenna Laird but they’re still winning big games like they did in the past. Cierra Harrison is expected to be the ace of this year’s team and she delivered on Friday. Harrison tossed a complete game shutout against the Wildcats. She struck out six batters and allowed only three hits, all to freshman shortstop Kaylie Avvisato. The rest of the Northwestern hitters went a combined 0-for-21.

Missouri’s offense did enough against Northwestern’s starter Riley Grudzielanek. Julia Crenshaw and Stefania Abruscato found clutch two-out singles to drive in runs. The Tigers also benefitted from a Northwestern error early in the contest. Madison Walker also had a pair of hits for Missouri.

No. 8 Duke 7, No. 25 Penn State 0

Hopefully, you weren’t looking for offense in this matchup (Well until the end). Although you probably thought a pitching duel given who might be in the circle. Cassidy Curd gave Duke the outing it needed from its top arm. The lefty spun in well and got stronger as the game went on. She retired 11 of the last 12 batters she faced and ended the game with eights Ks.

The bottom of the order for Duke kickstarted the offense. Freshman Brooklinn Thomas scored in the third inning after a single, stolen base and a perfect bunt from Thessa Malau’ulu in the nine spot. Thomas, who went 3-for-3, and Malau’ulu drove in the first two runs in Duke’s six-run seventh. Aminah Vega finished the game with three RBIs.

However, Penn State should be happy with the start it got from freshman Abigail Britton. She threw six solid innings before exiting and pitched better than the box score indicates.

Clemson @ FAU (6 p.m. ET, FAUSports.com)

No. 16 Baylor @ No. 7 Texas A&M (8 p.m. ET, SEC Network+)

Mid-Major Upsets

Louisiana Tech 6, No. 4 Oklahoma State 1

If you didn’t know about Allie Floyd before, you do now. The Louisiana Tech junior tossed a gem against the Oklahoma State lineup. Her dropball kept the Cowgirls off-balanced. Any time Oklahoma State threatened, she responded back in the biggest moment. She allowed six hits in the complete game effort.

Kyra Aycock struggled with her command as Louisiana Tech scored four in the second inning with only an infield single. She gave up four straight free passes before exiting. The Bulldogs tacked on two more runs in the sixth.

Delaware 8, No. 23 Michigan 2

After taking down the Wolverines in Florida, the Blue Hens collected their first ranked win in program history. The CAA preseason favorites put up a five spot in the first inning against Erin Hoehn and never looked back. Morgan Hess and Billie Kerwood did well to work around any Michigan threat. The Wolverines left 13 runners on base. Delaware designated player Sydney Shaffer went 3-for-4 with three RBIs.

Players of the Day

Kasey Ricard did Kasey Ricard things in her season debut. The Boston U ace pitched a complete game shutout against the Terriers’ crosstown rival Boston College – despite the game being played in Florida – picking up the 3-0 win. She struck out eight and didn’t allow a baserunner until the sixth inning.

Emory Donaldson only had 11 at-bats during her freshman year at Kentucky. She’s already making a big impact in year two. The infielder went a combined 5-for-6 with four RBIs in the Wildcats’ wins over Pitt and Notre Dame.

Raelin Chaffin bested Texas Tech and NiJaree Canady in a pitcher’s duel. The LSU transfer led Mississippi State to a 3-1 extra-inning win. She allowed three hits in eight innings, striking out six. She left the bases loaded in the bottom of the eight to secure the win over the ninth-ranked Red Raiders. The Bulldogs offense finally got through in extras with singles from Kiarra Sells and Sierra Sacco.

Raise your hand if you threw a no-hitter in your collegiate debut. Ohio State’s Lorin Boutte, Tennessee’s Erin Nuwer and LSU’s Jayden Heavener didn’t allow a hit today. Boutte struck out 13 in a win over NC Central in five innings. Nuwer picked up eight strikeouts in her no-hitter versus Bethune-Cookman. Heavener threw a six-inning perfect game with 13 Ks versus Charlotte.

Bella Smith tossed a five-inning perfect game in Oklahoma’s 8-0 win over Cal Baptist.

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