April 24, 2001
Cape Girardeau, Mo. -The University of Missouri softball team (27-24) took two games from in-state rival Southeast Missouri State University, winning the first game, 4-3 and the second game 5-1.
It wasn't pretty for Mizzou, as they committed three errors in the first game and one error in the second, but a fully operational scoring machine would record eleven hits in the first game and eleven more in the second to give the Tigers enough opportunity to sweep the double header. The Tigers drew first blood in the second inning of the first game, after junior Lindsay Jacoby reached base on an Otahkian error. She would score from first on a long double to right center field by freshman Ricki Walker.
In the fourth inning, the Tigers would add to their lead when junior Heather Allister hit a ground ball in the infield to reach base. Three batters later, she crossed home on a wild pitch to push the score to 2-0.
In the fifth inning, the Otahkians were granted clemency, scoring three unearned runs off three hits, a walk and two Tiger errors.
The Tigers sprang back to life in the seventh, when with two out and Karen Williams at third, sophomore Melanie Fisher hit a bloop single to center field that would score a run. Two batters later, Erin Erickson would drive in Fisher from second with a single to right center field. The Tigers reclaimed the lead and would hold on for the win, 4-3.
In the nightcap, the Tigers didn't waste any time, scoring the leadoff runner in the first inning when Karen Williams crossed home on a single by Melanie Fisher.
They would add to their lead in the fourth, again scoring the leadoff runner of the inning as Lindsey Jacoby hit a double to left-center field. She advanced to third base on a passed ball, and would cross the plate on a wild pitch by Otahkian hurler Reagan Hamlin.
In the fifth inning, with runners on first and second, Fisher opened the score to 5-0 with a single to right field. The SEMO defense had difficulty fielding the ball, then made a bad throw back to the infield, which allowed all Tiger base runners to advance home.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, with the bases loaded and two out, SEMO third baseman Dawn Piatino drove in one run with a single to left center field, making the score 5-1. That would be the only score the Otahkians would earn in the second game.
The Tigers return to conference action this Tuesday as they travel to Waco, Texas, to take on Indians of Baylor Bears. The two-game series begins Saturday, April 28, at 1 p.m.