University of Missouri
Virginia Tech
Tiger Softball Improves to 2-0
2/14/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 14, 2009
Atlanta, Ga. - Missouri freshman Chelsea Thomas (Pleasantville, Iowa) threw a one hitter in her first collegiate outing, helping the 17th-ranked Tiger softball team to a 10-0 victory over Virginia Tech at the Georgia State First Pitch Classic. The abbreviated five inning game helped Missouri to a 2-0 mark on the campaign and gives the Tigers its earliest shutout of the season in four years.
Thomas shutdown the Virginia Tech offense, recording a three-up, three-down inning in the top of the fourth. After five innings of work, Thomas managed three strikeouts and forced 11 groundouts.
2008 Big 12 Freshman of the Year Rhea Taylor (Buford, Mo.) came up with three of Missouri's 10 runs in the game, powering her second career home run over the centerfield fence in the bottom of the second. In its two games played in day one of the Georgia State First Pitch Classic, Missouri has totaled 14 runs, with Taylor scoring six of the 14.
The Tigers put up four runs in the bottom of the first frame with Taylor, leftfielder Julie Silver (Chesterfield, Mo.), newcomer Ashley Fleming (Silex, Mo.) and senior designated player Lindsey Ubrun (Riverside, Calif.) all scoring for Missouri. Taylor reached base on a leadoff single to third, advancing to second on a throwing error. Silver, batting from the two hole, singled and reached on her knock through the right side. Senior Micaela Minner (Sanger, Texas) came up with a two run double to right center, driving in both runners to help Missouri take the lead. Next to the plate, Fleming reached base on balls and advanced to second on senior second baseman Andee Allen's (Barnhart, Mo.) groundout. Ubrun reached on a fielder's choice that sent Minner back to the dugout and both Ubrun and Fleming scored on third baseman Gina Schneider's (Liberty, Mo.) single to right center.
Missouri went on to score two runs in the second inning, one in the third and three in the fourth. Six of the Tigers' 10 runs were earned.
Silver finished the afternoon outing 4-for-4 at the plate, scoring two runs and credited with three RBI.
The Tigers will play their third game of the tournament Sunday, Feb. 15, against host school Georgia State, beginning at 11:15 a.m. (CT).
