Thomas leads Missouri softball to Big 12 title
COLUMBIA — The Missouri softball team defeated Oklahoma 5-0 to win the Big 12 tournament title on Sunday at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City.
Chelsea Thomas pitched two-hit shutout for the Tigers and was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. Thomas (13-4) earned two of Missouri's three wins in the tournament.
“It was a great honor," Thomas said of being named Most Outstanding Player, according to a release. "I did not expect it at all. It’s the greatest honor that I have had in my life, so I’m really proud.”
Missouri earned the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, though they were certain to receive an at-large bid had they lost.
The NCAA selection show will air at 9 p.m. Sunday on ESPNU. Missouri could be chosen to host its four-team NCAA Regional.
The No. 2-seeded Tigers loaded the bases with no outs in the first inning inning but scored just one run when Micaela Minner earned an RBI-walk.
The Tigers scored again in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings on their way to the program's second Big 12 tournament title. Missouri also avenged two losses to top-seeded Oklahoma earlier this season that saw the Sooners overtake the Tigers for the Big 12 regular-season championship.
“I’m just really happy for our team," Missouri coach Ehren Earleywine said in a release. "We let the Big 12 regular season title kind if slip through our fingers. This doesn’t totally make up for that, but it’s a good feeling because we wanted to compete against Oklahoma because they came into our home place and beat us twice. Trophy or no trophy we just wanted a chance to play them again."
Andee Allen, who fueled Missouri's semifinal win over Baylor on Saturday, was 3-for-3 against the Sooners with an RBI.
Rhea Taylor also had multiple hits, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored.
Allen and catcher Megan Christopher joined Thomas on the All-Tournament team.