COLUMBIA, Mo. — There was a moment in a Missouri softball preseason practice that captured the essence of a program looking to rebound with continuity from its star power while sprinkling in some youth.
Freshman pitcher Marissa McCann, Arizona’s reigning high school player of the year, was in the circle, working against All-Southeastern Conference shortstop Jenna Laird. McCann threw a backdoor curveball. And Laird, a career .353 hitter who’s seen plenty through three seasons as a starter, was stunned.
“Jenna just stepped out,” coach Larissa Anderson recalled, “and she’s like, ‘I’ve never seen movement like that.’ ”
That pitch embodied how this season will bring together a 14th-ranked recruiting class and proven, veteran contributors like Laird and All-American outfielder Alex Honnold.