March 8, 2002
Columbia, Mo.-The University of Missouri softball opened play in the 2002 Missouri Classic splitting two games at University Field on Friday. The Tigers picked up a 1-0 win over Columbia University and dropped a tough game to Louisville in the night cap, 3-2. Missouri head coach Jay Miller said he saw some nice improvements in the Tigers play to open the tournament, but that Mizzou still needs to improve their clutch offensive run production.
"I thought we did a much better job in the field today and we were able to try some different people in some different positions," Miller said. "We need to take advantage of the offensive opportunities we generate and pick up our overall play the rest of the weekend."
Proof of the Tigers need for more consistent offensive production lies in the fact that the Tigers left 16 runners on base and hit only .125 with runners on base on the day.
The Tigers were only able to generate one run of offense in the their opening game of the day against Columbia. However, that was all of the support freshman Veronica Flournoy would need as she worked a complete game shut-out of the Lions, 1-0. Flournoy gave up only three hits and one walk while striking out a career-best six batters in the win. The Tigers run came in the top of the first on a Rachael McGinnis single to right center scoring junior Sara Vassmer.
Both starting pitchers were excellent in the first three innings of the Tigers second game of the day against Louisville. Neither pitcher allowed a base runner past second base and the score was tied at 0-0 after three complete. Mizzou would begin to figure out Louisville starter Jessica Rak starting with McGinnis, who extended her current 13 game hitting streak with her inning opening-single. The Tigers would score two runs on two hits and take advantage of a Louisville error to take a 2-0 lead. However, the Cardinals would respond with two runs of their own to tie the Tigers at 2-2 heading into the fifth inning. Louisville would tack on another run in the fifth on a wild pitch by Flournoy, who came in the game in relief of Werner and would hold Mizzou at bay the final two innings. Flournoy, despite allowing only one hit and one earned run, was the tough-luck loser in the contest.
Despite the loss to Louisville, Flournoy has been outstanding for the Tigers during her last three appearances. She has worked 14 2/3 innings giving up only eight hits and two earned runs. Flournoy has struck out 12 and has allowed opponents a .157 batting average during that time..
McGinnis has also continued to knock the cover off of the ball. She went 4-for-5 with an RBI and a walk in Friday's action. As stated before, McGinnis is in the midst of a 13-game hit streak and has recorded at least one hit in 21 of the Tigers first 22 games of the season. She has recorded 12 hits in her last 20 at bats and is currently batting .476 on the season.
The Tigers are now 8-14 on the year and will take on Drake and Columbia tomorrow in the second day of the Classic with action set to start at noon at University Field. For more information on Missouri softball, log on to www.mutigers.com.