Mizzou shut out by Arkansas in SEC softball tourney title game. Selection show is Sunday

In each of Missouri’s three Southeastern Conference softball tournament wins, the Tigers’ pitchers seemed virtually unhittable.

On Saturday, the seventh-seeded got a taste of their own medicine, falling 4-0 to top-seeded Arkansas in the championship game in Gainesville, Fla.

Chenise Delce, the SEC pitcher of the year, tossed seven scoreless innings and didn’t run into trouble all afternoon. Missouri’s only two hits came on singles from sophomore Jenna Laird. Delce threw just 68 pitches and retired the final 13 MU hitters in order, improving to 17-2 with a 2.07 ERA.

The Tigers (36-20) entered Saturday’s matchup having thrown 21 consecutive scoreless innings to open the tournament. They defeated 10th-seeded Auburn 1-0, second-seeded Alabama 3-0 and third-seeded Tennessee 3-0 in consecutive days.

Laurin Krings got the start in the circle on Saturday, but she quickly allowed a run in the first inning on an RBI single.

Still, Missouri’s defense kept the Tigers in the game throughout the day. The Razorbacks totaled 11 hits, but the Tigers turned three double-plays in the game’s first four innings.

Lee’s Summit West product Jordan Weber continued her impressive run at the SEC tourney, pitching two relief innings without allowing a run.

MU coach Larissa Anderson’s group will now await its postseason destination. It’s possible Mizzou will host one of the 16 regionals as an at-large bid, but the Tigers entered the tournament ranked No. 24 in the country.

The field will be announced at 6 p.m. Central Time on Sunday (ESPN2).

This story was originally published May 14, 2022 at 6:56 PM with the headline "Mizzou shut out by Arkansas in SEC softball tourney title game. Selection show is Sunday."