Missouri
#3 Arizona
Tigers Lose by One Run to Second-Ranked Arizona
3/4/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 4, 2007
Tucson, Ariz. - The Missouri softball team dropped a one run game, 8-7, to No. 2 Arizona at Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium Sunday afternoon. With the loss, Missouri falls to 14-9 on the season, while Arizona moves to 14-3. Rallying late in the game, Missouri put up all seven of its runs in the final four innings of play, but the Wildcats were able to take the win with a seventh inning walk off home run by third baseman Jenae Leles.
Leadoff batter Leanne Bowers (Arnold, Mo.) helped Missouri come within one run of the Wildcats in the top of the fifth inning. Down 7-3, Bowers crushed a two out home run over the fence in right center to drive in three runs. The homer was Bowers' third of the season and second in five games. Bowers was 2-for-5 at the plate, singling to second base in the fourth inning and scoring on senior Sarah Stringer's (Auxvasse, Mo.) double to centerfield.
Junior Amanda Renth (Mascoutah, Ill.) proved to hot for the Wildcats who intentionally walked the first baseman in three of her five appearances at the plate. Renth finished the weekend with a .600 average, and 2.00 slugging percentage. All three of Renth's weekend hits were for extra bases.
Junior Amy Henke (Florissant, Mo.) served as pinch runner for Renth in the sixth inning and scored on shortstop Andee Allen's (Barnhart, Mo.) single through the left side. The run helped tie the game at seven and provided the Tigers a clean slate with which to work. Missouri was unable to pull ahead in the seventh, stranding the go-ahead run on second base.
Freshman Jana Hainey (Raymore, Mo.) was credited with the loss and moves to 3-5 on the campaign. Hainey entered the game in the fourth inning after senior Jen Bruck (St. Peters, Mo.) threw three innings of work, allowing five runs on six hits. Hainey struck out two Wildcats during her time in the circle.
The Tigers will host Wichita State in a doubleheader Wednesday, March 7 beginning at 2 p.m. (CT) on University Field. The meeting will be the third of the season between the two programs and Missouri's first game outdoors on University Field.
