March 19, 2002
Columbia, Mo. - Donning a softball uniform for the just the last five days, designated player Melanie Fisher went 3-for-3 with three RBIs as the University of Missouri softball team defeated the University of Connecticut 9-0.
Freshman pitcher Erin Kalka sat down seven in the five-inning shutout today at University Field. It was the 10th consecutive win for Missouri.
The Tigers' overall record is now 19-16 after beating the UCONN for the fourth time this season. The Huskies fall to 3-14.
Missouri started the game with a long ball off the bat of sophomore center fielder Morgan LeCluyse. The two-run home run was Lecluyse's fifth of the season. At the end of the first, the Tigers led 2-0. Three strikeouts from pitcher Erin Kalka were all the defense the Tigers needed to produce a leadoff triple from second-baseman Lindsey Jacoby in the bottom of the second. Catcher Mary McGrane followed with an RBI single to right, and designated player Melanie Fisher singled to left. Pinch hitter Daisy Mettlach's sacrifice fly would score McGrane to give the Tigers a 4-0 lead.
Sophomore Rachael McGinnis led off the third inning with a triple and scored on freshman Heather Kunkle's single up the middle. McGrane got on with another base hit and Fisher picked up an RBI with a double to right field. Junior Sara Vassmer's single scored McGrane and gave the Tigers a 7-0 lead. McGinnis and Kunkle scored off Fisher's double to put Missouri up 9-0. The game was called in 4.5 innings on the mercy rule.
The Tigers look to continue their win streak when they travel to Austin, Texas Friday for a weekend series with the Texas Longhorns. For more information on Tiger softball, log on to www.mutigers.com.