Feb. 23, 2001
COLUMBUS, Ga. - The University of Missouri softball team took a 1-1 split in the first day of action in the Leadoff Classic here Saturday evening.
The Tigers faced the University of Georgia in the first game of the day, besting the Bulldogs 4-1. Georgia drew first blood, scoring early off a Tiger error and would hold the 1-0 lead until the fifth inning, when the Tigers made their move. With the bases loaded, freshman Rachael McGinnis hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield, driving in a run to tie the game. The major play, though, came later that inning, when sophomore Melanie Fisher banged a bases-loaded triple down the right field line, driving home three runs to take the lead. Then in the sixth, senior pitcher Stephanie Falk and McGinnis made back-to-back outs with runners in scoring position to stave off any more Bulldog runs. Falk pitched a complete game, striking out two and allowing only six hits while facing 28 batters.
After the win, the Tigers faced the Bulldogs again, only this time it was the Bulldogs from Fresno State, who are ranked seventh in the nation. The Tigers held their own early, but in the fifth inning Fresno State would score one run off a single by third baseman Lindsay Fossati and another run off a wild pitch by Falk. Those two runs and some stiff defense would prove to be all the Bulldogs needed to top the Tigers 2-0. Fresno State pitcher Leslie Poole pitched a two-hitter, allowing no walks and no runs.
"I wasn't disappointed with the way we played today," said Head Coach Jay Miller. "I think the defense is coming together pretty well. They're working better together and there is more communication in the field. Steph and Ingrid (Werner) both pitched well, so I look at that as a positive. We needed better hitting against Fresno State, but all in all I think we're going to be in pretty good shape heading into tomorrow."
Saturday the Tigers face tough Big 10 foe Michigan at 12:30 p.m. Then, based on results from Friday and Saturday pool play, MU will then be seeded into one of three brackets for tournament play. Tournament play begins Saturday night at 5:00 p.m.