March 10, 2000
The Missouri Softball team (15-8) finished the first day at the Missouri Round Robin with a 2-0 record. The beat Georgia State in the first game 5-2 and Northern Iowa in the second game 6-2. Everything seemed to fall into place for the Tigers. Their hitting was spectacular and the pitching was even better.
The Tigers struck first in the first game. Christy Skouby scored on a Linda Swarts single to second base. Georgia State tied the game in the top of the fourth inning. Corrie Roberts reached base on an error by Tiger third baseman, Erin Erickson. She advanced to second on a Crystal Hartman single to left field. Two batters later, Roberts scored on an error by Tiger second baseman Lindsey Jacoby. The Tigers were quick to answer back. Amy Farmer started the bottom of the fourth with a single to third base. Sara McNeal then came in to pinch run for her and stole second. Jacoby singled to the pitcher and advanced to second on an error by the third baseman, Adrienne Lyman. The error allowed McNeal to score and put the Tigers up 2-1.
Missouri scored three more runs in the bottom of the sixth. With two outs, Mary McGrane reached on an error by Lyman. Jacoby reached on an error by first baseman, Stephanie Payne, and was able to advance to second on the play. McGrane advanced to third. Kristen Burke pinch hit for Sara Vassmer and drove a two-RBI single to left field. Vassmer re-entered the game to run for Burke. She scored on a Stacy Gemeinhardt single down the left field line, making the score 5-2.
Ingrid Werner picked up the win for the Tigers. She gave up three hits and only one earned run. Her record moves to 6-3.
The Tigers scored in each of the first four innings of the second game and Stephanie Falk retired the first 10 Northern Iowa batters in order. Gemeinhardt started the Tigers offensively by reaching first on an error by the shortstop, Kylie Sloan. She advanced on a Karen Williams sacrifice bunt and stole third. She scored on a Swarts single to second base.
Dara Throneburg started the bottom of the second with a single to second. She advanced to second on a passed ball and to third on a McGrane ground out. Vassmer hit a RBI-single to left field to score Throneburg, making the score 2-0.
The Tigers were not satisfied with a two-point lead, so they set out to widen the gap in the third. Williams singled to second base and advanced to second on a passed ball. Swarts hit a RBI-single to left field and was able to advance to second on the throw home. Williams beat the throw and scored. Farmer reached first and Swarts scored on an error by Sloan. McNeal pinch ran for Farmer and scored on a Throneburg double.
Northern Iowa scored their two runs in the top of the fourth inning. Kristi Johnson hit an infield single to end Falk's perfect game. Jeanine Soncini walked. Sloan hit a sacrifice fly to center field to put both runners in scoring position with two outs. Allison Taverner hit a long single into center field to score Johnson and Soncini. The Tigers' final run came in the bottom of the inning. Kristen Burke scored on an error by pitcher, Malinda McClintock, making the score 6-2 in favor of the Tigers.
Stephanie Falk pitched a phenomenal game for the Tigers. She struck out 13 batters in nine seven innings of work and only walked one. Her record now stands at 7-5.
The Tigers play at 2 and 4 p.m. tomorrow. In case of snow, the games will be moved inside the Devine Pavilion.