April 23, 2000
The Missouri softball team (29-24, 5-11 Big 12) fought hard and made a late inning push to try to end their losing streak, but it just wasn't enough. They lost 6-5 to the Texas Tech Red Raiders (16-30, 5-6 Big 12) in the second game of the two-game series in Lubbock. The Tigers' losing streak sits at eight games, tying their longest winning streak this season.
Missouri head coach Jay Miller shook some things up in the Tiger lineup this game. He started Mary McGrane, Kristen Burke and Dara Throneburg at first, right field and short stop respectively, over the usual starters Christy Skouby, Karen Williams and Linda Swarts. Swarts did remain in the lineup as the designated player. Skouby and Williams also entered the game to pinch hit and pinch run.
The Tigers made their mark first. In the third inning, Burke led off with a singler to left field and was able to advance all the way to third on an error. Sara Vassmer walked and stole second to put runners on second and third with only one out. Swarts stepped up to the plate and drove a single throughthe left side to score Burke. Vassmer scored on a sacrifice hit by McGrane. Amy Farmer singled and Swarts advanced to third, but was thrown out at home to end the inning with the Tigers leading 2-0.
Texas Tech tied the game in the bottom of the fourth. Stephanie Falk struck out the first two batters, but the second, Amanda Douglas reached on a wild pitch. She then advanced to second on a sacrifice hit. Ashley Ready followed with a RBI single down the right side. Dana Yocum followed with a single and Eva Harshman walked to load the bases. Sandy Butler walked to score the tying run from third.
Texas Tech scored one run in the fifth and three in the sixth. Missouri pitcher Ingrid Werner was brought in to relieve Falk with two outs in the inning. Werner got the Tigers out of the inning by striking out the first batter she faced.
The Tigers attempted a seventh-inning come back, something which they had had problems doing in previous games. This time it looked as if the outcome was going to be a little bit different. Burke led off with a single down the left side. Stacy Gemeinhardt was hit by a pitch. Gemeinhardt and Burke both advanced on a Vassmer sacrifice hit.Linda Swarts stepped up to the plate with runners at second and third and came up with a big hit. She slammed a home run over the center field fence to make the score 6-5 in favor of the Red Raiders with only one out in the inning. McGrane popped up to the secodn baseman. Amy Farmer tried to keep the rally alive with a single to center field. The Red Raiders brought in their ace, Amanda Renfro, to relieve starter Yocum and finish the game. She did what she was supposed to do as she struck out Throneburg, and crushed the Tigers hopes for the comeback.
Yocum got the win for Texas Tech and Renfro was credited with a save. Falk took the loss for the Tigers, but recorded five strikeouts, the most she's had in several game.
The Tigers finish up regular season play this week. Tehy have a non-conference game against Southern Illinois Friday at 2:30 p.m. at University Field. The final conference series will be played Saturday and Sunday against Baylor at 1 p.m. both days on University Field. Sunday will be Senior Day.