March 2, 2001
St. George, Utah--The University of Missouri softball team cannot seem to shake its first-day split tournament trend. The Tigers won their first game in the Red Desert Classic against Utah State, 8-7, but could not continue their winning ways against Utah, who beat the Tigers, 2-1.
Missouri entered the first game against Utah State looking for vindication. The Aggies beat the Tigers, 6-1 in the Fiesta Bowl Classic in Phoenix, Ariz earlier this year, but would not do so in Utah on Friday. Tiger sophomore Kristin Burke drew first blood in the bottom of the season with a solo homerun. Another run scored that inning off a hit by junior Heather Allister, and two more would score off a double steal. Junior Lindsay Jacoby stole home, and Allister scored after the catcher overthrew second base.
The Aggies scored two in the top of the third, and in the bottom of the same inning Tiger freshman Rachael McGinnins followed Burke's lead with another solo homer. Utah State used that fuel, though, and began a rally, scoring two runs in both the fourth and fifth innings and another in the sixth, taking the lead 7-5.
With two on in the bottom of the sixth, Aggie shortstop Heather Curtis committed a costly error, allowing Tigers Karen Williams and Mary McGrane to score. A final Tiger run scored when Erickson singled to the shortstop, driving in McGinnis. All three Tiger pitchers took their turn on the mound, but senior Stephanie Falk was credited with the win, allowing two hits and two walks in three innings of work.
The second game did not go so smoothly for the Tigers. The Utah Utes scored the first run of the game on a solo shot over the wall by centerfielder Molly McLean. The Tigers answered with a run in the next inning when Jacoby drove in Erickson, tying the game at 1-1. Mizzou held the Utes scoreless until the bottom of the seventh, when the Aggies scored a run off of a single to right-center, scoring a run and winning the game. Falk pitched her ninth complete game of the season, allowing 10 hits and striking out three.
On Saturday, the Tigers face No. 12 Washinton at 4:30 and UC-Santa Barbara immediately following the first game.