Mizzou falls short of first SEC series win, with run-rule loss to Mississippi State

STARKVILLE, Miss. (KMIZ)

The Mizzou softball teams remains in the hunt for its first Southeastern Conference series win, following a 10-2 loss in five innings to No. 15 Mississippi State in rubber match action.

Head coach Larissa Anderson and company were hoping to follow up a gritty 12-8 win in a slugfest on Saturday, by taking a much-needed Top-25 series victory on the road on Sunday, in Starkville. However, the Bulldogs out-hit the Tigers 12-2, as designated player Taylor Ebbs registered the only RBIs on the day with a two-run homer.

Although MU came out of the gates with a bang in the first inning with that Ebbs home run, Mississippi State wasted no time responding. Mizzou starter Cierra Harrison gave up three earned runs on five hits in 1.0 inning of work and by the time the second inning hit the Bulldogs had a one-run lead and never looked back.

Harrison was charged with the loss in the circle to drop to 9-8 overall in 2025.

Sophomore ace Marissa McCann came in in relief for Harrison, after her one inning of work, but didn't have much better luck. The Arizona native gave up four earned runs on four hits in 2.0 innings. Coach Anderson put two more pitchers, Nathalie Touchet and Taylor Pannell, on the mound, but it wasn't enough to hold off Mississippi State.

Bulldog starter Raelin Chaffin gave the Mizzou bats a whole lot of trouble, on Sunday. MU only mustered two hits, as the team hit .125 in the series finale.

With the loss, Anderson and her team drop to 21-24 overall in 2025 and hold a 3-12 mark in SEC play.

Up next - Mizzou will hosts SIUE for midweek action on Tuesday, April 15. First pitch is set for 5 p.m.