University of Missouri
Providence
Tigers Claim Strike-Out Cancer Tournament Title
2/22/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 22, 2009
Boca Raton, Fla. - The 15th-ranked Missouri softball team extended its win streak to eight games, after blanking Providence, 5-0, at the Strike-Out Cancer Tournament hosted by Florida Atlantic University. Tiger sophomore Shana White,(Columbia, Mo.) was recognized as the tournament MVP after helping Missouri to its second tournament title of the 2009 campaign.
Improving to 8-0 on the year, this marks the first time since 1997 that the Tigers have started a season with an eight (or more) game win streak. The 1997 squad went 9-0 before falling to Nebraska, 3-0. The furthest Missouri has ever gone into the season without a loss is 10 games, in 1992.
In the first meeting between the two programs, Missouri shutdown the Providence offense holding the Friars to only five hits, four of which were singles. Tiger freshman Kristin Nottelmann (Fenton, Mo.) was credited with the win, her first of the season, after throwing four innings. Junior Jana Hainey (Peculiar, Mo.) closed out the game for Missouri, hurling the final three innings and allowing only one hit, while striking out two. The Tigers have now recorded three straight wins by shutout and five on the year.
The Tigers scored one run in the second and pushed across four in the third to claim their fifth win of the Strike-Out Cancer Tournament. Six Tigers scattered singles around the field to put their teammates in scoring position. Senior second baseman Andee Allen (Barnhart, Mo.) reached base on balls in the top of the second, stole second base and scored on right fielder Kathryn Poet's (Tujunga, Calif.) single to centerfield. Allen was credited with an RBI in the third inning after driving in senior Micaela Minner (Sanger, Texas) on a bases loaded groundout.
White, who finished the tournament with a .571 average, went 1-for-3 against the Friars, managing a third inning bunt single. The outfielder scored Missouri's third run of the game advancing home on sophomore Marla Schweisberger's (Rayton, Mo.) single through the left side. By the close of the tournament, White had scored a team-high seven runs for the Tigers.
The Tigers will return to Columbia and host instate opponent Saint Louis in a home opening doubleheader set for Wednesday, Feb. 25. Game one is slated for a 3 p.m. (CT) start with first pitch of game two set for 5 p.m. (CT). Stay tuned to mutigers.com for further information regarding the games.
