Leanne Bowers

Class:
Senior
Hometown:
Arnold, Mo.
High School:
Seckman High School

2006: Leadoff batter for the Tigers in 37 of Missouri's 52 games, Bowers made 48 starts in the outfield and owned a .941 fielding percentage. Bowers began the 2006 campaign a perfect 3-for-3 on the road against then-No. 24 Georgia Tech. Feb. 10. Responsible for two of Missouri's six game-winning runs, Bowers opened the three-game series with a leadoff double to left field and advanced home on a home run by two-hole hitter, Janessa Roening. In her next at bat, Bowers was hit by pitch and advanced home on a single by cleanup hitter Amanda Renth. Bowers recorded a team high two triples on the season, the first coming March 4 against Missouri State. One of her five hits from the leadoff position, Bowers followed her triple with a home run in her next at bat. In similar fashion, Bowers recorded a home run followed by a one run triple in Missouri's April 14 game at home against Oklahoma State. Bowers led the team in stolen bases (10) and finished second of her teammates with 31 runs scored and 18 walks. Credited with 40 hits, Bowers held the third highest mark of the Tigers. Strong academically, Bowers made her second career appearance on the Academic All-Big 12 team. Honors: Academic All-Big 12

2005: After scoring 54 runs during her sophomore campaign, Bowers moved to second in the Missouri season record book and is tied with former Tiger standout Mary Babb who set the previous mark in 1995. Bowers also etched her name in the Missouri record book with nine home runs (the eighth highest total in a single season) and 13 bombs for her career (10th highest in Missouri history). Entering the 2006 season, Bowers made 113 career starts and batted leadoff in 112 games. Bowers scored two runs in Missouri's opening game of the season against Nicholls State, Feb. 11, at the Seminole Classic, later crushing her first homer of the season against Maryland on Feb. 18, driving in two runs. Playing at home against North Dakota State on April 27, Bowers made her 98th consecutive start. As leadoff hitter, Bowers hit five home runs (Feb. 25- Minnesota, March 6-UMKC, March 12-Drake, April 2-Oklahoma, May 8-Nebraska), with the shot against Nebraska scoring the game-winning run. Bowers tallied three, three-hit games (March 6-UMKC, March 9-Ball State, March 16-Evansville), three, three-RBI games (Feb. 18-Maryland, March 9-Ball State, March 19. La. Tech) and led the team in runs scored (54), stolen bases (14) and longest hitting streak (11). Bowers was 14-15 on stolen bases. As Mizzou's center fielder, Bowers had 44 putouts and two game-saving throws to the plate against then-No. 4 Texas, April 16 and 17. On April 30, Bowers singled up the middle as leadoff hitter against then-No. 4 Texas A&M, and was brought home by Janessa Roening's blast, helping Mizzou to a 2-1 lead and eventual 6-5 win. Playing in Missouri's second game of the day and third of the Big 12 tournament against No. 7 Baylor, Bowers was 3-for-5 with three singles to right field. Bowers made her second NCAA Regional Tournament appearance and was 2-for-2 in the Tiger's third game of the series and second against No. 22 Southern Illinois, singling twice as leadoff hitter. Honors: All-Big 12 Second Team, Academic All-Big 12

2004: As leadoff hitter for the Tigers, Bowers finished the season tied with teammates A.J. White and Samantha Fleeman for most home runs (four) and led the team in runs scored (31), at bats (177), steal attempts (28), stolen bases (21) and total plate appearances (197). Bowers stood second among her teammates in three categories, total bases (59), hits (39) and walks (15). In Missouri's fourth game of the season, and first tournament of the year, Bowers blasted the Tigers' first home run of the season on Feb. 8 against Arkansas at the Gator Invitational in Gainesville, Fla. Bowers was one of only three Missouri players to start all 55 Tiger games and led off each game, producing the teams' second longest hitting streak (seven) to tie teammate Heather Kunkel. In Missouri's second game against Iowa State on April 28, Bowers launched a three-run home run over the center field fence in the sixth inning to finish the game with three RBI. Bowers totaled 10 multiple hit games. Playing in her first Big 12 Conference Championship game on May 15, Bowers ripped her eighth double of the season on the first pitch from Big 12 Player-of-the-Year and All-Tournament MVP Peaches James. Playing in what would be Missouri's final game of the NCAA Regional Tournament, Bowers got things started for the Tigers with a single to right field. Known for her speed around the bases, Bowers finished with 21 stolen bases on the season, ranking ninth in the Big 12 in 2004. Finishing the year with above a 3.00 grade-point average, Bowers was named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Academic All-America team. Honors: NFCA Academic All-American

Seckman High School: Coached by Jerry Joyce, Bowers and her team were 2001 and 2003 state runner-ups. An All-State selection both her sophomore (2001) and senior (2003) seasons, Bowers was a three sport athlete, competing in basketball and track. A member of the St. Louis Espirit club team, Bowers was coached by Sue Guenzler.

Personal: Leanne Bowers was born Nov. 26, 1984, in St. Louis, Mo., to Kevin and Beth Bowers. A psychology and business major, Bowers has two sisters, Sharon, (20) and Melissa, (18).