Missouri
Texas
Softball Splits in First Day of Big 12 Tournament
5/9/2001 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 9, 2001
Oklahoma City, Okla. - The University of Missouri softball team (31-27) earned their berth as the eighth seed in the Big 12 Tournament Wednesday, beating the Texas Longhorns (24-29) 1-0 at Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Okla. The Tigers were defeated by Nebraska (48-11), 9-1, later in the evening.
Great defensive play was the key to the Tigers' win, as pitcher Stephanie Falk allowed just four hits in 27 batters faced. Also playing well in the field was Lindsay Jacoby, who made a cross-handed play at shortstop to save a run, and Karen Williams, who made a portfolio diving play in the sixth to save a Longhorn run.
The only run for either team occurred in the bottom of the fourth, when Lindsey Jacoby singled to left field to lead off, then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Rachael McGinnis. She stole third, and would score when Melanie Fisher hit a grounder to the second baseman. A pop-up to shortstop and and a grounder to third would end the inning, and the Tigers gained the 1-0 lead, to which they would hold on for the victory.
The Tigers faced Nebraska in the evening game, and the Huskers didn't waste any time getting started, scoring two runs on three hits in the bottom of the first inning.
Mizzou failed to produce until the fourth, when leadoff hitter Karen Williams hit a ground ball single to third base. She advanced to second on a sacrifice by Sara Vassmer, stole third, and would score on a double to left center by Jacoby, bringing the Tigers within one run of tying the game.
In the fourth, however, the Huskers would increase their lead to four, scoring three runs on five hits and one Tiger error. They would add four more runs in the sixth to invoke the eight-run mercy rule and win the game, 9-1. The Tigers take on Texas A&M Thursday at 1:30 p.m. The winner advances to the next round of the Big 12 tournament. The loser is eliminated from the tournament.
