March 3, 2000
The Missouri Tigers lost their first game in the Easton Showcase in Fullerton, Calif. to No. 7 California. It was a 1-0, nine-innings pitchers' dual.
California got runners on base in each of the first four innings, but was not able to get anyone past second. Missouri didn't get their first bas runner until the bottom of the third inning. Amy Farmer singled to the shortstop, but no one was able to drive her home. The next two and a half innings the batters went down in a row for both teams.
Sara Vassmer opened the bottom of the sixth with a single to the shortstop. Stacy Gemeinhardt followed up with a double to left field. It looked as if the Tiger's were going to be able to score the first run of the game, with only one out and runners on first and second, but they couldn't pull it off.
Neither team got any closer to scoring than second base until the game went into international tie-breaker scoring in the eighth inning. In the eighth inning, both teams got their runners that were placed on second to third, but could not score them.
Cal broke the game open in the top of the ninth. Eryn Manahan scored on a Pauline Duenas RBI single to right field. The Tigers never even had a chance to come back in the bottom of the inning. Gemeinhardt lined into a double play at shortstop and Vassmer, the runner placed at second, was tagged out on the play. The next Missouri batter struck out, ending the game 1-0 in favor of California.
Stephanie Falk pitched all nine innings for the Tigers and struck out nine batters.
The Tigers only played four extra-inning games all last season. This is their third in only 18 games.
The Tigers will face Pacific today at 2 p.m. PT.