San Diego, Calif.--The University of Missouri softball team opened its 2002 season with a 4-2 win over No. 23 San Diego State University on Friday in the Aztec Invitational. Mizzou is now 1-0 and will meet Hawaii later today.
The Tigers found themselves down 2-1 heading into the fourth inning after SDSU scored two unearned runs in the bottom of the third. However, Mizzou would score two runs in the top of the next inning and would add an insurance run in the sixth to ice the win.
"We played well and got the jitters out early in the game," head coach Jay Miller said. "I was pleased with our response to SDSU's rally in the bottom of the third (scoring two runs) and I think our kids are glad the season has started."
Sophomore Rachael McGinnis had an excellent game going 2-for-2 with two RBI's, a triple and a walk. Junior Sara Vassmer also pitched in with a quality offensive effort going 2-for-4 scoring a run and claiming a stolen base.
Freshman Erin Kalka was fantastic in the win going the distance (7.0 innings) giving up only five hits while striking out 11