March 17, 2000
The Missouri Softball team (21-10) hit .363 as a team with 20 hits and 14 runs in 55 at bats. Five of the Tigers' hits were extra base hits.
The first game against Western Michigan was an exciting game. Missouri's first two runs came off a Linda Swarts homer that crossed Carrie Franke Drive and landed on the A.L. Gustin Golf Course. Christy Skouby scored on the hit.
Stephanie Falk and the Tiger defense retired the first 16 Bronco batters. The catcher Pam LaBar snuck in a single to ruin Falk's perfect game and no hitter. LaBar got no further than first however, and Missouri retired the next five straight.
In the bottom of the fifth, Sara Vassmer scored on a Stacy Gemeinhardt RBI-triple to left field. The Tigers scored their remaining three runs in the bottom of the sixth. Erin Erickson scored Dara Throneburg and Sara McNeal on a home run over the left center field fence.
Stephanie Falk pitched her third shut out of the season, in the Tigers' 6-0 win. It was also Falk's fifth one hitter of her career. Her record is now 10-6.
It took a little bit for the Tiger bats to get heated up again in the second game, but once they did, there was no stopping them.
The Tigers struck first in the first inning. Karen Williams scored on a Skouby RBI-double to center field. Skouby scored two batters later on an error by the Drake second baseman, putting the Tigers up 2-0.
Drake had an answer is the top of the fourth inning. Michelle Markham started off the Bulldog rally with a leadoff single to left field. Mollie Murphy followed with another single to left field. Murphy stole second and Markham was out at third, caught stealing. Jessica Lilja singled down the right field line and advanced to second as Williams tried throwing Murphy out at home. The run scored, making the score 1-2 in favor of Missouri. Melanie Thevenote nailed Missouri pitcher, Ingrid Werner, in the kneecap with a singled. Christy Caccavo came in to relieve Werner with runners on the corners. Kristin Moeller doubled to right center, scoring Lilja and tying the game. Michelle Lyman hit a RBI single to left field to score Thevenote and give the Bulldogs the 3-2 lead.
Missouri was not going to let up. Skouby walked to start the bottom of the fifth inning. She advanced to second on a Swarts sacrifice bunt, and to third on a Dara Throneburg sacrifice bunt. Skouby scored on an Erickson RBI-single. Farmer singled to center field and advanced to second as Erickson scored. The Tigers regained their lead, this time at 4-3.
Missouri decided to widen the gap and put the game away in the bottom of the sixth. Sara Vassmer led off with a single to the shortstop. Gemeinhardt and Williams were both safe on fielder's choices as the batter before them were thrown out at second. Skouby singled to center field to advance Williams. Swarts singled to left field to load the bases. Throneburg drove a single into right field to score Williams and Skouby. With runners on the corners, Erickson hit a double into center field to score both runners, her fifth and sixth RBI of the day. The Tigers finished with the 8-4 win.
Christy Caccavo picked up the win for the Tigers. Her record is now 3-0 on the season.
Missouri will continue Missouri Invitational play tomorrow. They will face Illinois State at 2 p.m. and Western Michigan at 4 p.m.