April 10, 2002
Columbia, Mo.-The University of Missouri softball team dropped both games of a doubleheader to No. 9 Oklahoma on Wednesday in Columbia, 8-1 and 3-1. The Tigers fall to 23-27 overall and 1-10 in the Big 12 while OU improves to 35-8 overall and 9-0 in the Big 12 Conference. The Sooners, who led the conference in hitting, slugging percentage, runs, doubles and home runs heading into the contests, definitely put their power on display against the Tigers out-hitting Mizzou 22-10 recording three home runs in the two games. Head coach Jay Miller said he was disappointed about the Tigers Game 1 loss, but was pleased to see the Tigers scratch and claw to get back into Game 2.
"We did not play well in the first game and our pitching and defense were not there for us," Miller said. "We regrouped and played better in the second game and gave ourselves a chance to win which was good to see. We have a big series in Lincoln this weekend and we need to come out ready to play on Saturday."
In Game 1, the Sooners would register runs in five of the seven runs they came to bat in while holding Mizzou to a single run in the second inning. The lone Tiger run came on a single by senior Erin Erickson who drove in freshman Heather Kunkel, who had doubled earlier in the inning. Freshmen Erin Kalka (10-11), who started the game, and Veronica Flournoy combined to give up 11 hits and eight runs to the high-powered Sooners. Six different Tigers recorded hits in the contest.
Mizzou would play much better in the second game, thanks in a large part to the pitching of junior Ingrid Werner. She scattered nine hits in 6.0 innings of work striking out one. After two scoreless innings to open the contest, the Sooners would get on the board when their leading hitter, Christina Enea, doubled to right center scoring Christy Ring. The Sooners would record their second run when Heather Scaglione hit a solo home run in the top of the fourth to give OU a 2-0 lead. The Sooners would score one more run in the top of the seventh to take a 3-0 lead with Mizzou coming to bat.
Kunkel would begin the Tiger rally reaching on an error by the shortstop. Senior Heather Allister would then record her eighth double of the year down the right field line advancing Kunkel to third and then to home on an errant throw by the first baseman. Senior Erin Erickson would then walk to put runners on first and second with the tying run coming to the plate. However, OU pitcher Jennifer Stewart, who picked up the complete-game victory, would close the door on the Tigers getting Kristen Burke to pop out to second and Sara Vassmer to ground out to first base to end the threat and the game.
Erickson had a solid day going 2-for-5 with a double and two RBIs while Kunkel went 1-for-5 with two runs scored. Sophomore Daisy Mettlach also slated a good effort going 2-for-4 while stealing a base.
The Tigers will now hit the road for the first time in a little over a week as they travel to Lincoln, Neb., to take on the No 4 Nebraska Cornhuskers with first pitch scheduled for Saturday at 1 pm. A complete broadcast of the series will be provided at www.mutigers.com.