Feb. 9, 2002
San Diego, Calif.-The University of Missouri softball team dropped to 1-3 in the young season on Saturday losing games to No. 23 San Diego State, 4-3, and Hawaii, 5-1. The Tigers conclude the Aztec Invitational tournament at 1-3.
Mizzou led both games through the first three innings, but could not maintain that form allowing both opponents to come from behind and take the wins. Head coach Jay Miller said the Tigers gave a solid offensive effort, but struggled in the clutch situations.
"I was pleased with the way we hit the ball this weekend," Miller said. "However, we need to produce and put some runs on the board. Our pitching staff also continues to develop and I think this weekend was a good test for them as we prepare for the long haul."
In the Tigers breakfast meeting with the No. 23 Aztecs (9 am first pitch), the Tigers would respond to a third-inning tally by SDSU with two runs of their own in the bottom of the third on a two out single to right by senior Heather Allister scoring junior Sara Vassmer and Kristen Burke giving Mizzou a 2-1 lead. However, the Aztecs would outscore the Tigers 3-1 the rest of way tagging all three Tiger pitchers that made appearance in the game for runs taking the game. Burke had a great game at the plate for Mizzou going a perfect 3-for-3 with a triple and a run scored. She is off to a whale of a start after four games, with a .417 batting average.
The Tigers would once again jump out to an early-innings lead taking a 1-0 advantage in the top of the fourth inning in the second game of the day against Hawaii. The Tiger run came on a two-out single by senior Erin Erickson that scored sophomore Rachael McGinnis. Freshman Erin Kalka had been...well...perfect heading into the fourth stanza not allowing a Rainbow Wahine player to reach base. However, Hawaii would break Kalka's strangle hold with a run in the top of the fourth and three runs off of the Chandler, Okla., native in the fifth before she would yield to junior Ingrid Werner. Werner would hold UH to only one run the rest of the way, but the Tigers were unable to muster a comeback falling 5-1.
McGinnis registered another solid offensive outing going 2-for-3 in the game and 4-for-6 on the day. The Tigers third baseman was great at the plate this weekend hitting a robust .667 (8-for-12) while registering a double, a triple, two runs and 11 total bases.
McGinnis' offense effort resembled the Tigers marks on the weekend very closely. Mizzou hit a blazing .312 as a team on the weekend, but managed only a .161 mark with runners in scoring position. Further exemplifying the need for run production would be the Tigers 28 runners they left on base for the weekend.
MU now returns home for the Mizzou Round Robin, which begins on Sat., Feb. 16 at noon. The Tigers will welcome Western Illinois, Illinois-Chicago and Rhode Island to University Field or Devine Pavillion, depending on weather. For more information on Tiger Softball, log onto www.mutigers.com.