May 14, 1999

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK -- The Kansas Jayhawks used three consecutive singles in the fifth inning Friday to score the only run in a 1-0 Kansas victory over the Missouri Tigers at the Big 12 Conference Softball Tournament.

The loss eliminated the Tigers (38-19) from the tournament and sent them back to Columbia where they will anxiously await Sunday's announcement of the 48-team NCAA Tournament field.

Kansas (29-27) advanced to play the Nebraska Cornhuskers, whom it will have to beat twice if KU hopes to make it to the tournament championship game against either Texas or Texas Tech. The Jayhawks beat the Tigers four times in five tries this season.

"I'll take the win," KU Coach Tracy Bunge said. "I'm not sure how we got it, but I will take it. We've beaten Missouri four of the last five games and every time we have had some breaks go our way."

Amy Hulse, Shelly Musser and Courtney Wright hit three straight singles to produce the only run that KU pitcher Sarah Workman would need in improving her record to 19-12. The Tigers managed just five hits, four of them by second baseman Jamie Lowry and shortstop Shawna Robinson.

Missouri hurler Stephanie Falk dropped to 24-11, allowing eight hits.

Missouri won its opening Big 12 Tournament contest on Thursday, beating Texas Tech, 5-2. The Tigers then lost a heartbreaker to the Texas Longhorns, 8-6, in eight innings Thursday night. The NCAA Softball Committee will announce the NCAA Tournament field on Sunday evening.