Tigers Softball Begins Busy Stretch with Trip to Evansville
3/13/2002 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 13, 2002
Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
Tigers Start Nine-Game Five Day Stretch
The University of Missouri softball team (10-16 overall, 0-0 in the Big 12) opens a nine-game in five day stretch on Thursday when it travels to Evansville, Ind., for a doubleheader with the Purple Aces. The Tigers will then make the quick trip home to host the Missouri Invitational which runs Friday-Sunday. UCONN (1-9), Iowa State (5-4) and Loyola of Chicago (4-6) will visit University Field for the Tigers third home tournament of the 2002 Campaign.
Missouri's McGinnis Named Big 12 Softball Player of the Week
DALLAS- The Big 12 softball player and pitcher of the week for the past two weeks were announced by the conference office Tuesday. For the week of Feb. 24-March 5, Big 12 Player of the Week honors for March 5 goes to Missouri sophomore Rachael McGinnis. At the Strawberry Cup in Plant City, Fla., McGinnis hit .500 in six games with two home runs and nine runs batted in. McGinnis also scored three runs at the event and had a 1.000 slugging percentage.
McGinnis currently leads the team in batting average (.480), home runs (4), doubles (6), slugging percentage (.773) and RBI (22). This marks the second time she has received the honor during her career, the other time being during the week of Mar. 26 through Apr. 1.
McGinnis and Tigers now travel to Evansville, Ind., on Thursday for a doubleheader with the Purple Aces before returning home to host the Missouri Invitational this weekend. For more information on Missouri Softball, log on to www.mutigers.com.
Evansville-Missouri Inviational Edition Games 27-34 * Mar. 14-17, 2002 * Columbia, Mo. Opponents: at Evansville (13-13 overall, 0-0 in the Missouri Valley) Missouri Invitational Connecticut (1-9 overall, 0-0 in the Big East) Iowa State (5-4 overall, 0-0 in the Big 12) Loyola (4-6 overall, 0-0 in the Horizon League) Start Times: Mar. 14 Missouri at Evansville-2 pm and 4 pm Missouri Invitational Mar. 15 Iowa State vs. Loyola Iowa State vs. UCONN Missouri vs. UCONN-4 pm Missouri vs. Loyola-6 pm Mar. 16 Loyola vs. UCONN Loyola vs. Iowa State Missouri vs. Iowa State-4 pm Missouri vs. UCONN-6 pm Mar. 17 UCONN vs. Iowa State UCONN vs. Loyola Missouri vs. Loyola-2 pm Missouri vs. Iowa State-4 pm Radio Info: All Missouri games during the Missouri Invitational can be heard on 88.1 KCOU or at www.mutigers.com Series Info: MU vs. Evansville-MU leads, 4-0 MU vs. UCONN-MU leads, 2-0 MU vs. Loyola-MU leads, 4-0 MU vs. Iowa State-MU leads, 32-25 Coaches: Missouri: Jay Miller (Illinois State '78) 538-292 at MU (15th year) 688-398 overall (20th year). Evansville: Gwen Lewis (Indiana State '86) 304-263-1 (11th year) 303-262-1 overall (11th year). Connecticut: Karen Mullins (Connecticut '79) 585-282-4 (19th year) 595-292-4 overall (21st year). Loyola: Stephanie Henderson (Western Michigan '95) 49-50 (3rd year) 49-50 (3rd year). Iowa State: Ruth Crowe (Texas Women's '82) 93-141 (6th year) 195-294 (10th year).
The Backup Plan In case mother nature once again decides to get crabby this weekend, please find a altered schedule for the weekends events. Indoor games will be played in the Devine Practice Facility located across Providence Road from Faurot Field. Thanks and pray for sun.
Friday, Mar. 15 2 pm-Loyola vs. Connecticut 4 pm-Missouri vs. Connecticut 6 pm-Missouri vs. LoyolaSat., Mar. 16 2 pm-Connecticut vs. Loyola 4 pm-Missouri vs. Loyola 6 pm-Missouri vs. Connecticut
Sun., Mar. 17 8 am-Loyola vs. Connecticut 10 am-Missouri vs. Connecticut Noon-Missouri vs. Loyola
Tiger Tid Bits
The Tigers are coming off of a 3-3 performance in the Missouri Classic last weekend...this weekend's tournament marks Mizzou's final regular season tournament of the season as it begins Big 12 Conference play next weekend in Austin, Texas...sophomore Rachael McGinnis has been on a tear over the past 12 games hitting .545 in the Tigers last two tournaments...Mizzou holds a 42-25 combined advantage in the all-time series' over the competition it will face this weekend in.
A Look at the Purple Aces
The Purple Aces are coming off a split on against Western Kentucky. U of E is currently 13-13 overall and have lost six of their last eight games. Evansille's doubleheader on Tuesday night against the Hilltoppers was its first two games at brand-new Copper Stadium on the Evansville campus. Missouri leads the all-time series with Evansville, 4-0.
A Look at the Huskies
The Huskies are 1-9 heading into the invitational. That mark is very deceptive, though, as six of UCONN's 10 opponents in 2002 have been ranked in the USA Today NFCA Coach's Top 25. Mizzou has faced UCONN once already this season in the second round of bracket play at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Ga on Feb. 24. Junior Ingrid Werner and freshman Erin Kalka combined for the four hit shutout as the Tigers took the game, 2-0. Missouri now leads the series, 2-0.
A Look at the Ramblers
The Ramblers will play their first game in eight days when they open the tournament against Iowa State. Loyola enters the tournament with a 4-6 record and are riding a two-game winning streak. The Tigers lead the all-time series with Loyola, 4-0.
A Look at the Cyclones
Iowa State will be the first Big 12 foe Mizzou has faced this season so far. Entering the Invitational at 5-4 and have won four of its last six games. The MU-ISU series is a long-standing rivalry and shows that Mizzou holds a 32-25 advantage. However, the two squads split four matchups last season.
You're a Daisy If You Do
The Tigers received a great suprise off of the bench in their contest against Columbia last Saturday. Sophomore Daisy Mettlach, who led the Tigers with three home runs in the fall but had only made three starts this season, went 2-for-3 with two home runs. Mettlach's first home run was of the inside-the-park variety as she slammed a laser to deep center and used her excellent speed to motor around the base paths. Her second ding-dong was an opposite-way shot to deep right field that hit 3/4 the way up the Devine Pavilion Wall.
Putting the 'ger' in Swinger
Its beginning to be the rule far more than the exception to it. Sophomore Rachael McGinnis is going to hit the ball, and chances are, it will be hit hard. This past weekend was another prime example of the spectacle that is a McGinnis at bat. She went 10-for-17 (.588) with five RBI, 11 total bases, a .647 slugging percentage while scoring five runs. McGinnis also showcased great patience at the plate recording two walks, a catergory in which she ranks second on the team overall.
Miller Looks To Join the 700 Club
Head coach Jay Miller is the all-time winningest coach in MU softball history with 535 career wins. 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 now has a very good shot to pass yet another milestone this season. With just 12 more wins, he will have registered the 700th win of his 20-year career. Coincedentally, when Miller does earn his 700th, it will also be his 550th win at Mizzou.
Last time out... Tigers Explode Offensively in 10-2 Win Over Drake Columbia, Mo.-The University of Missouri softball team took out the offensive frustrations it had been experiencing as of late by springing for 14 hits and 10 runs in Mizzzou's 10-2 five-inning win over the Drake Bulldogs on Sunday in its final game of the Missouri Classic. The Tigers finish the tournament with a 3-3 record taking second place behind tournament champion Louisville.
Prior to the outburst against the Bulldogs, Mizzou had not registered double digits in hits in seven games and had not scored more than seven runs in 19 contests.
Five Tigers recorded two or more hits in the win. Senior Lindsey Jacoby and sophomore Rachael McGinnis both went 3-for 3 while senior Erin Erickson went 2-for-2 with two doubles. Jacoby had a rare feat in the contest as she hit her third and fourth triples of the year and sprang for a season-best four RBIs. Junior Ingrid Werner earned her fifth win of the season evening her record at 5-5. Werner worked 5.0 innings giving up two earned runs and four hits while striking out two.
Earlier in the day, Mizzou dropped a heartbreaker to Louisville, 3-2 in eight innings. The Tigers were down 2-1 heading into the bottom of the seventh but would score the tying run on a sacrifice fly by Morgan LeCluyse to center field that scored senior Heather Allister, who had recorded a single earlier in the inning. With the game tied a two, the international tie breaker (the batter that recorded the final out of the previous inning is placed on second to begin the inning) rule was put into play. Louisville capitalized immediately as the first batter of the inning singled to center field off of Werner, who entered the game in relief of freshman Erin Kalka in the eighth, which score the go ahead and ultimately winning run. The Tigers were turned away in the bottom the inning despite having the bases load with only one out.
This Just in From the Department of the Obvious
At risk of sounding like a complete moron, I would like to present the following note. The University of Missouri softball teams wins when it scores runs and loses when they struggle at the plate. First, the good news. Mizzou is averaging 4.9 runs per game and is limitling their opponents to 1.3 runs per game in contests that they win.
Conversely, the Tigers are allowing opponents to score 4.2 runs per losing contest while plating only 1.9 runs per. Thanks for bearing with me on that one.
It Just Keeps on Getting Better Man
The Tigers have faced six ranked opponents and are 3-4 against those opponents. And the fun has just begun. Mizzou will face five more opponents in 2002 that are currently either ranked in the top 25 or are recieving votes in the latest USA Today/NFCA Coaches Poll, which was released last Wednesday.
If You Smell, What the Rock, Is Cooking.
Sophomore Rachael McGinnis, who head coach Jay Miller referred to as the "rock" of the Tigers line up has been all that and a bag of Wavy Lays (or really good in laymans terms) for Mizzou so far this season. The native of Overland Park, Kan., is off to an All-American like start recording a team-best .480 batting average on 36 hits, six doubles, two triples, four home runs and 58 total bases. McGinnis has also been solid in the field recording only two errors in 97 chances good for a .980 fielding percentage.
Flournoy Kept the Wolverines Wondering
Freshman pitcher Veronica Flournoy definitely picked a great time to have the best outing of her career. Last Saturday, the Queen City, Ariz. native gave up only one run on four hits while striking out four in 5 2/3 innings of work against then No. 12 Michingan. Junior Ingrid Werner came and put the finishing touches on the game picking up her first save of the season as the Tigers took the win, 2-1.
A Feel-Good Kind of Fall
The Tigers were...well... perfect during their fall schedule. Mizzou recorded a sparkling 12-0 mark. Mizzou was outstanding at the plate hitting .356 at the plate while outscoring their opponents, 90-14. MU knocked the cover off of the ball recording an amazing .502 slugging percentage while collecting 158 total bases. The Tiger pitching staff was also very tough limiting opponents to a .156 batting average while registering a 0.76 cumulative ERA.
California Glove
Junior Ingrid Werner, who is from Fremont, Calif., pitched only the seventh perfect game in Missouri softball history last Sunday against Rhode Island. The last perfect game by Missouri was on April 26, 1991, when Karen Snelgrove was perfect against UMKC. While Werner's pitching prowess was remarkable on Sunday, her fielding was the key to her perfecto. Of the 15 batters Werner faced, four of them grounded out to the pitcher, one of them lined out to the pitcher and Werner struck out one in the Tigers five-inning conquest over the Rams.
Miller Contributes to The Softball Coaches Bible
Tiger softball head coach Jay Miller is considered by many to be one of the best groomers of outstanding fast pitch softball pitchers in the world. However, in Miller's contribution to The Softball Coaches Bible, the new book published by the NFCA, Miller deals with what is another trademark of his program, an aggressive run-producing offense. The book features contributions from the best coaches in America dealing with everything from making a great power hitter to drawing more fans to the ball park.
MUTIGERS.COM Missouri's official web site can be found at www.mutigers.com. The comprehensive site, which includes releases, photos, biographical sketches and audio broadcasts, is part of the FANSonly Network. FANSonly currently hosts sites for more than 100 universities, including eight Big 12 schools.
Tigers on the Radio
Tiger softball can be heard throughout the season on two different radio stations. KCOU 88.1 FM will broadcast this weekends Missouri Invitational (Mar. 15-17). 1580 KTGR AM will then take the reins and cover the remainder of the Tigers schedule starting with the Tigers March 19 matchup with Connecticut.
All Tiger softball games can also be heard at the official web site of Missouri Athletics, www.mutigers.com. Once at the site, go to the softball page, click on the schedules and results section of the page, scroll down to the desired game link, and click on the live broadcast link.
Mizzou Softball Finds Success in Caribbean Curacao, NA-With the 2002 softball season quickly approaching, the University of Missouri softball team had the opportunity to prepare in a very unique way. The Tigers traveled to the island of Curacao from Jan. 10-17 to train and compete with the Netherlands Antilles National Team. Curacao is an island located 50 miles north of Venezuela.
The Tigers finish action in the Caribbean at 3-1. MU came from behind in two of the wins. One run decided three of the four games in the series and two of Mizzou's wins came in the final inning of the game.
The Tigers played in front of large crowds throughout the trip. The team embraced the opportunity to experience a different culture and also developed a stronger sense of unity. Their hosts were warm, friendly people and treated them very well.
Tiger Softball Wraps Up 2002 Recruiting Class
Columbia, Mo.-University of Missouri softball coach Jay Miller announced the four members of the Tiger softball 2002 recruiting class on Wed., Nov. 21. Kendra Power (Kansas City, Mo.), Samantha Fleeman (Pleasant Hill, Mo.), Devon Francy (Pleasant Hill, Mo.) and Stephanie Standley (Lamar, Mo.) make up the class.
Power (2B/SS) will help sure up the Tiger middle infield for the 2002-03 season. A versatile player who can play both second base and short stop, Power was a member of the Park Hill South squad that reached the final four this fall in Class 4A. Power was named to the State All-Tournament team and also was a member of the "KC Lasers" summer traveling team that finished in the top 16 at the ASA Gold Nationals. Miller said that Power is a complete player and will make things happen in the Tiger line up.
Fleeman (P/1B) was considered by many to be the best pitcher in Missouri this year. She will also play first base for the Tigers. Fleeman was a vital member of two Pleasant Hill State Championship teams during her time at PHHS and set the Missouri high school record for strikeouts in a game with 44 in the State Final Championship game that lasted a record 21 innings this past fall. Fleeman was featured in the Nov. 19 issue of Sports Illustrated in recognition of her record, setting outing in the "Faces in the Crowd" section.
She sported a 22-0 record last season and allowed opponents to hit only 0.96 against her. For her efforts, she was selected to the Missouri All-State squad. Fleeman is also a member of the "KC Shockwaves" summer traveling team, that finished second in the nation at last summer's ASA National Tournament.
Francy (C/OF) was Fleeman's catcher at Pleasant Hill. She was one of the top hitters on the Pleasant Hill squad, which won two state championships and was a two-time all-state selection. Francy drove in the game-winning run in the 21st inning of the Missouri State Championship game, the same game in which her teammate, Fleeman set the single-game strikeout record. She was also a member of the "KC Shockwaves" summer traveling team.
Standley (OF/Middle Inf.) will also provide depth and versatility for the Tigers. Her ability to play multiple positions will be key for the Tigers as they look to solidify their lineup. She was named first team All-Big 8, all-district, all-sectional and all-state this past fall. She also is a pole vaulter and plays basketball at Lamar High School.
