COLUMBIA, MO. • Missouri softball coach Ehren Earleywine hasn’t been through a season like this in his 11 years in Columbia, but he doesn’t need a thorough examination to diagnose the Tigers’ problems.
Down to their final regular-season series, the Tigers are 28-23. That’s five more losses than the team’s ever had on Earleywine’s watch. The numbers say Mizzou has the Southeastern Conference’s worst pitching. No inning unfolds easily when the Tigers are on the field.
Mizzou could still make the NCAA tournament but can probably count out hosting a four-team regional at its sparkling new stadium.