Jan. 15, 2002

Curacao, NA-The University of Missouri softball team scored four runs in the top of the seventh inning to eclipse a three-run deficit and take a 5-4 win over the Netherlands Antilles National Team on Tuesday night in Curacao. The Tigers trailed 4-1 heading into the final stanza but used three walks and two hits including a three-run double by freshman shortstop Heather Kunkel to take the game. Kunkel went 1-for-2 on the night and had a great series in Curacao. She recorded a sizzling .538 batting average recording seven hits in 13 at bats.

"We showed a lot of resiliency tonight and we responded well to adverse situations throughout the series," head coach Jay Miller said. "This was a good litmus test for us to see where we are at as a team and helped us identify things we need to improve on as we head into the season."

Prior to the game, the Tigers exchanged gifts with the National Team and the directors of Curacao Softball Council presented Coach Miller with a plaque and game ball. The General Consulate of Curacao from the United States then threw out the first pitch of the game as 456 rowdy fans cheered and sang during the game.

The Tigers finish action in the Caribbean at 3-1. MU came from behind in two of the wins. One run decided three of the four games in the series and two of Mizzou's wins came in the final inning of the game.

The Tigers will practice on Wednesday morning and then do some more sight seeing around the island before heading for home on Thursday afternoon. Mizzou opens its 2002 campaign on Feb. 8 in San Diego, Calif.

An abbreviated box score can be found below:

						1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Missouri					1 0 0 0 0 0 4
Netherlands Antilles National Team		0 2 1 0 1 0 0