Missouri softball players upset about internal investigation of program

COLUMBIA — The Missouri Tigers softball team dropped a 3-1 decision Saturday to South Carolina in SEC action at University Field.

But the bigger news came off the field when the Tiger players released a statement prior to the game stating they were playing under protest Saturday due to a university investigation into the program.

“Missouri players are playing this game in protest of our athletic administration and specifically Missouri AD Mack Rhodes (sic),” the statement began.

“The Missouri athletic department is conducting a wholly unsubstantiated investigation of our softball program and the softball coaching staff. The softball players support and love our coaching staff, and we wonder why this black could is being put over a program intentionally by Mizzou AD Mack Rhoades.”

Players cited several things regarding the investigation, including:

• Bullying and intimidating players during forced interviews.

• AD Mack Rhoades told us that we, the players, don’t have ANY say in who is the coach of our team.

• We believe a gag order has been placed on our coaches.

The statement then went back to the protest by the football team last fall, saying, “The administration was completely incompetent in handing the fall football scandal and they are doing a worse job at this.”

The athletic department had a statement of its own during Saturday game.

“In recent weeks we have received complaints concerning our softball program. These complaints have come from both inside and outside the program.

“In response, the university launched an internal review. The review is ongoing and involves personnel matters, therefore, the University of Missouri and Mizzou Athletics will have no other comment at this time.”

Also having no other comment were the players after Saturday’s game. A team spokesman announced during the sixth inning there would be no interviews allowed of Missouri head coach Ehren Earleywine or Tiger players.

Prior to to the game, Earleywine was honored with a plaque commemorating his 10th season with the program.

III

In the game, South Carolina scored three times in the top of the first inning and held on for the 3-1 victory.

Missouri starter Tori Finucane got the first South Carolina to fly out. But two walks sandwiched around a hit-batter loaded the bases with one out. Danielle Baumgartner came on in relief and gave up a two-run single. The third run came home on a stolen base.

The Tigers’ lone run came in the second. Kirsten Mack drew a two-out walk and moved to third on a Rylee Pierce single before scoring on a rundown on the play.

Amanda Sanchez had Missouri’s only other hit.

Baumgartner pitched the final 6 2/3 innings, allowing three hits and a walk while striking out seven.

No. 14 Missouri (38-13 overall, 13-10 SEC) and South Carolina (35-19, 7-16) will wrap up their three-game series at 12:30 p.m. today.