April 1, 2002
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Tigers Face In-State Rivals This Week
Mizzou will venture outside of the Big 12 this week for the first time in eight games for some old fashion in-state rivalry games. The Tigers will take on the Billikens of Saint Louis on Tuesday in St. Louis before welcoming the Otahkians of Southeast Missouri State to University Field on Wednesday for a a double header.
After winning 10 straight heading into the Big 12 portion of their schedule, the Tigers have dropped six of their last seven contests and are 1-6 in the Big 12. If history is any guide though, the Tigers should be able to get back on track this week. Mizzou holds a combined 62-6 advantage over SLU and SEMO.
Tiger Tid-Bits
The Tigers picked up a much needed win over Kansas on Sunday to earn their first conference win of 2002... senior Heather Allister drove in what proved to be the winning runs in the bottom of the second inning with a double to center field that scored seniors Mary McGrane and Lindsey Jacoby...the Tigers had a tough week, though, going 1-4 on the week...junior Sara Vassmer, who is a slap hitter for Mizzou, had a solid week recording six hits on 14 at bats good for a .429 batting average...Vassmer led the squad with three runs scored and added to her team high 15 stolen bases with two swipes on the week...she was perfect in the field recording a 1.000 fielding percnentage...The Tigers are now 20-22 overall and 1-6 in the Big 12...Mizzou heads to St. Louis on Tuesday for a doubleheader with Saint Louis University before returning home for a doubleheader with Southeast Missouri State and a weekend set with Baylor on Saturday and Sunday.
The Saint Louis-Southeast Missouri State Edition Games 43-47 * April 2-3, 2002 * St. Louis, Mo. & Columbia, Mo. University of Missouri (20-22 overall, 1-6 in the Big 12) Opponent: Saint Louis (12-16 overall, 1-10 Conference USA) Southeast Missouri State (5-14 overall, 2-3 Ohio Valley) Start Times: Tues., April 2 Missouri at Saint Louis Univ.-5 pm Missouri at Saint Louis Univ.-7 pm Wed., April 3 Missouri vs. SEMO-4 pm Missouri vs. SEMO-6 pm Radio Info: All Tiger Softball softball games can be heard on 1580 KTGR or www.mutigers.comSeries Info: MU vs. SLU-Missouri leads, 46-1 MU vs. SEMO-Missouri leads, 16-5 For More Info: MU-www.mutigers.com SLU-www.slubillikens.com SEMO-www.gosoutheast.com Coaches: Missouri: Jay Miller (Illinois State '78) 550-297 at MU (15th year) 700-403 overall (20th year). SLU: Jim Malloy (College of Notre Dame '74) 56-225 at SLU (6th year) 56-225 overall (6th year). SEMO: Lana Richmond (Berea College '80) 614-343 at SEMO (20th year) 614-343 overall (20th year).
A Look at the Billikens
After beginning their 2002 campaign with a 12-4 mark, the Billikens have dropped their last 12 contests. They enter Wednesday double header with a 12-16 overall mark and a 1-10 Conference USA record. Last week, the Billikens were shutout in both games at SIU-Carbondale, 2-0 and 3-0 on Wednesday, and scored one run in all three losses to East Carolina. The Bills out-hit ECU in a Saturday doubleheader, but lost 4-1 and 5-1. ECU closed out the weekend with a 3-1 win on Sunday.
This will be the first time the Tigers have faced the Billikens since 1999. The Tigers lead the all-time series with SLU, 46-1. SLU is coached by Jim Molloy, who is in his sixth year at the helm.
A Look at the Otahkians SEMO comes into Wednesday's double header with Missouri winners of two of its last three contests. The Otahkians two of three games from Ohio Valley foe Tennessee State on Saturday and Monday to move to 5-14 overall and 2-4 in the OVC.
They are led offensively by Dawn Piatino, who is batting .317 with two home runs and 10 RBI. Rachel Van Fleet has been SEMO's best pitcher so far in 2002 sporting a 3-3 mark in 13 appearances and 51.0 innings pitched.
The Tigers lead the all-time series with the Otahkians,16-5.
Last Season Against the Otahkians
April 24 In Cape Girardeau MU 4, SEMO 3 MU 5, SEMO 1
Blinding and Warp Five
When it comes to speed, junior Sara Vassmer has two gears. Blinding and Warp 5. Vassmer leads the Tigers in stolen bases with 15 thefts on 23 attempts. As a leadoff slap hitter for the Tigers this season, she is second on the team in hits (43) and on-base percentage (.401) and leads the squad in at bats.
Vassmer had a solid week last week recording six hits on 14 at bats good for a .429 batting average. She led the squad with three runs scored and added to her team high 15 stolen bases with two swipes on the week. She was perfect in the field recording a 1.000 fielding percentage and made a great play in the Tigers win over Kansas throwing out the potential tying run at home plate to preserve a 2-1 victory for the Tigers. Vassmer is in the midst of a five-game hitting streak.
What Does It Take to Be #1?
Although sophomore Rachael McGinnis has had some struggles early in the Big 12 season, she still is one of the most prolific offensive performers in conference. McGinnis leads the Big 12 in batting average (.425), hits (42), total bases (83) and on base percentage (.504). She ranks in the top 10 in eight of the offensive catergories that were calculated.
Who's En Fuego * Senior Heather Allister is hitting a team-best .353 in Big 12 action with seven total bases and a .412 slugging percentage.
* Junior Sara Vassmer has recorded hits in five straight games and is hitting .350 in Big 12 conference action.
* Freshman Heather Kunkel has slated a hit in seven of the Tigers last nine games and currently owns a two-game hitting streak.
* Coach Jay Miller earned his 700 career win and his 550th win at Mizzou on Sunday against Kansas.
Last Time Out... Tiger Softball Clips Jayhawks, 2-1
Mizzou earns first conference win of season. Columbia, Mo. - The University of Missouri softball team ended a six-game skid on Sunday taking out vaunted rival Kansas 2-1 at University Field. The Tigers improve to 20-22 overall and 1-6 in the Big 12 while KU falls to 19-15 overall and 2-5 in the conference. The win gave head coach Jay Miller his 700th career victory and also his 550th win at Mizzou.
After a scoreless first inning, the Tigers would get on the board when senior Heather Allister recorded her team-best seventh double to center field scoring senior classmates Lindsey Jacoby and Mary McGrane to give Mizzou a 2-0 lead. Werner, who started the game for Mizzou, would continue to hold the Jayhawks at bay until the top of the fourth when she gave up a leadoff home run to KU third baseman Megan Urquart. After getting Melanie Wallach to ground out to third, Werner would give up a double to Amy Hulse, which would spell the end of the afternoon for her. She worked 3 1/3 innings scattering four hits but did walk three.
Freshman Erin Kalka would enter the game and was outstanding in relief once again for the Tigers. She allowed only one hit and no runs in 3 2/3 innings of work while striking out one and took the win improving her record to 8-9 on the season.
The Tigers had several chances to extend their 2-1 lead leaving the bases loaded two times in the fifth and sixth inning while recording the most hits (9) since their Mar. 19, 9-0 win over UCONN. Allister led the offensive charge for Mizzou going 2-for-3 with two RBIs while McGrane and senior Erin Erickson also recorded two hits in the contest.
700 and Counting
Head coach Jay Miller is the all-time winningest coach in MU softball history with 550 wins in his 16 years at Mizzou. Coach Miller was honored last season for his 500th win at Mizzou on Feb. 18 when the Tigers grabbed a 2-1 win over Northern Illinois. Miller registered his 700th career victory against Kansas last Sunday in Columbia.