COLUMBIA, Mo. — Playing a fourth game in some 25 hours under a burning sun and suffocating layer of humidity-induced sweat, Missouri softball began to notice the fatigue.
It was the middle of a scoreless, tied game against Omaha. As had been the case in each of the previous three games, losing meant the end of the season. Winning meant advancing. Add pressure to the list of environmental factors.
Catcher Julia Crenshaw returned to the dugout, pulled off her mask and looked concerningly pale. MU coach Larissa Anderson instructed her assistants and trainers on what to do to keep the team going if she passed out on the field, given the dizziness she was feeling.