Missouri
Nicholls State
Missouri Softball Opens Season With Shutout over Nicholls State
2/11/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 11, 2005
Columbia, Mo. - Playing their first of four games in the Seminole Softball Complex, the Missouri softball team opened its season with a 6-0 shutout of Nicholls State at the Seminole Classic in Tallahassee, Fla., this afternoon. Freshman Jen Bruck (St. Peters, Mo.) and sophomore Erica Peterson (Irving, Texas) pitched for a combined one-hitter, while redshirt freshman Micaela Minner (Sanger, Texas) smashed the Tigers' first homer of the season.
Leading off the MU lineup for the 56th consecutive game, sophomore centerfielder Leanne Bowers (Arnold, Mo.) scored the game's first run after being hit by pitch in the top of the first inning. Bowers advanced to second on a passed ball and was later brought home on a wildpitch off of Nichole Wagner. The Tigers went on to score another run in the second inning and two in the fifth, securing their win with three runs in the sixth that included a two-out long shot by Minner over the outfield fence. All together, the Tigers tallied six hits, with three going down in the books as doubles.
Minner made her return to the lineup after being sidelined by injury last season. Leading off in the top of the third, Minner collected her first double of the season, but was left stranded on third base at the close of the inning. Minner made her start at first base and racked up eight putouts in the field.
Freshman designated player Amanda Renth (Mascoutah, Ill.) entered the game at the top of the fifth inning to get things moving again for the Tigers. The right-handed batter stepped into the box and ripped a double in her first at bat. With Roening in to run, Minner singled helping Roening across the plate for Missouri's third run of the game.
In her first career start as a collegiate pitcher, Bruck tossed four complete innings, allowing only one hit and one walk while totaling four strikeouts on her way to her first win. The left-handed Peterson took the mound in the fifth inning, staring down 10 batters and striking out six.
The Tigers are now 3-0 against Nicholls State all-time and will take on the Colonels again tomorrow afternoon at 1:30 p.m. (CT).
Missouri will resume action at 4 p.m. (CT) today against No. 10 Florida State. Live results can be found at www.mutigers.com.
