University of Missouri
Bradley
Mizzou Beats Bradley, 2-1
5/16/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 16, 2009
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Missouri took advantage of Bradley's inability to score in game three of the Columbia, Mo., NCAA Softball Regional, winning 2-1, en route to the title game of the four-team, double elimination tournament.
Bradley had numerous opportunities to bring runs across, but Missouri had a strong defensive showing to get out of the jams. The Braves' best chance to score came in the second frame but, with runners on second and third, Missouri first baseman Marla Schweisberger caught Julie Sherman's popped bunt and completed the double play by throwing Miriam Wegmann out at third to end the threat. Bradley threatened again in the fifth when, with two outs, Anne Creighton reached second base after Missouri centerfielder Rhea Taylor dropped a fly ball for her first error of the season. After nine hole hitter Jackie Roth walked, Lindsey Watkins hit a ball into shallow left center where Taylor made up for her earlier mistake by making a diving catch to end the inning.
Missouri brought the first run of the game across in the second when Lindsey Ubrun doubled to right center scoring senior Micaela Minner from first base. The Tigers scored again in the sixth, manufacturing the run through Taylor's single and stolen base. She came around to score on Kathryn Poet's double to right center. Poet, who doubled on a 3-2 count, was given a second life when her infield pop fly safely landed and then rolled foul.
Bradley's lone run came in the sixth when Jacqueline Vitale hit a sacrifice fly to right scoring pinch runner Megan O'Malley from third. The Braves were unable to do any more damage as Amanda Clack flied out to right center ending the inning with a runner on third.
Freshman pitcher Kristin Nottelmann was awarded the start in the circle for Missouri but was relieved by senior Stacy Delaney in the fourth. Delaney collected the win and improved to 15-3 on the year. Bradley pitcher, Ashley Birdsong, entered the contest on a 10-game win streak, and managed six strikeouts in the game, but was saddled with the loss and falls to 20-11 on the year.
Missouri will play in the regional championship game Sunday, May 17, at 1 p.m. (CT), against an opponent still to be determined.
