April 27, 2002
College Station, Texas-The University of Missouri softball team could manage only three hits off of No. 24 Texas A & M's Lindsay Wilhelmson as the Tigers dropped the first game of a two-game series, 7-0 in College Station, Texas. Mizzou falls to 29-31 overall and 4-13 in the Big 12 while A & M improves to 35-14 and 8-9 in the Big 12.
The Aggies jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the first when catcher Selena Collins hit a solo home run to left field. The Tigers best chance to get on the board came in the top of the third. Senior Mary McGrane led off the inning with a single to right and was then replaced by pinch runner Ashely Hays. Senior Lindsey Jacoby would advance Hays to second with a sacrifice hit and then Sara Vassmer would provide a two-out single to third base to put runners at first and third. Morgan LeCluyse would then crush a shot to center field, but it would be right at the center fielder for the third out of the inning.
Mizzou would hold the Aggies at bay until Collins came to bat in the third slamming another solo shot this time to center off of Tiger starter Erin Kalka to take a 2-0 lead after three innings. The Tigers would then fall victim to the big inning once again the fourth. Kalka walked the leadoff batter of the inning, gave up a single and then walked the following batter to load the bases. Sherah Atkins stepped to the plate and hit a 25 mph wind-aided grand slam to center field to give the Aggies a 6-0 lead. The Aggies would score one more run in the bottom of the sixth to grab what proved to be a 7-0 win. Wilhelmson would hold the Tigers in check earning the complete game three-hit shutout. Despite the Tigers offensive struggles, Vassmer did extend her current hitting streak to a personal best 10 games.
Mizzou will face the Aggies in their final regular season contest of the season tomorrow with game time set for 1 pm. All Tiger radio broadcasts can be heard on 1580 KTGR or at www.mutigers.com.