Missouri softball coach Ehren Earleywine is grateful.
The Tigers endured the worst regular season during his 11-year tenure, finishing 29-26 overall and 7-16 in the Southeastern Conference.
For the first time in eight seasons, Mizzou isn’t hosting an NCAA Tournament regional. Instead, the Tigers are bound for Eugene, Ore., and an opening-round showdown with Wisconsin, 33-15, at 8 p.m. Friday on ESPN. Host Oregon, the No. 3 overall seed, plays Illinois-Chicago in the other game.
“I couldn’t be more happy, and I mean that,” Earleywine said.
Earleywine endured a four-month university investigation into alleged verbal abuse of players last spring and summer.