University of Missouri
AbilChristian
Tiger Softball Extends Winning Streak to Five
3/15/2002 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 15, 2002
Columbia, Mo. -The University of Missouri softball team hosted Day 1 of the Missouri Invitational on Friday taking games from Connecticut, 9-2, and Loyola, 7-1 in Columbia. Mizzou currently owns a five-game winning streak over the past five days, their longest winning streak of 2002. The Tigers showed just how explosive their offense can be out-hitting their two opponents 28-11 while outscoring them, 16-3. Mizzou also got excellent performances from all three of their pitchers as they rolled through Day 1 of the three-day event.
"We have built some momentum and are hitting the ball well right now," head coach Jay Miller said. "Our pitching staff has been great for us all year and we are beginning to sure up our defense around the infield and really improving with every game we play."
The Tigers would strike first in their opening game of the day against the Huskies of Connecticut scoring a run in the first, three runs in the fourth and two runs in the fifth to take a 6-0 lead before UCONN could respond with two runs of their own. However, the Tiger defense would tighten up and the offense would produce three more runs in the final two innings to take the game, 9-2. The Tigers would get a great performance from both of their freshman pitchers in the game. Starter Veronica pitched 5.0 complete innings giving up only four hits and two runs while striking out four. Erin Kalka would come in relief for Flournoy for the second straight game and was impressive working 2.0 scoreless innings allowing only one hit while striking out one.
Several Tigers had great offense outings including senior Heather Allister, (3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI), freshman Heather Kunkel (3-for-4 with two RBI while scoring a run) and senior Erin Erickson. Erickson had a huge game going 4-for-5 (6-for-9 on the day) scoring two runs. The Tigers recorded 18 hits in the game, the highest single-game hit total so far this season.
Loyola would jump out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a single by Natalie Martin that scored Ashley Gibbons. Despite the Ramblers tally in the inning, junior Ingrid Werner recorded her 200th career strikeout, which ranks her eighth on the all-time MU charts. The Tigers would then jump all over LU registering two runs in the fourth and five runs in the fifth to take a 7-1 lead recording seven of their 10 hits in the game in the two frames. Erickson and senior Mary McGrane, who has hit .636 over the past four contests, paced the Tiger attack both going 2-for-4 in the game. The Tigers also welcomed back sophomore All-American Melanie Fisher back to the field on Saturday, only two days after her season on the basketball court ended. Fisher did not disappoint going 2-for-3 in Game 2 of the day with an RBI while scoring a run.
Werner was outstanding once again for Mizzou going 7.0 innings while scattering six hits and allowing no earned runs. She has been amazing over her last three starts recording 18.0 innings allowing only 14 hits, two earned runs good enough for a 1.00 ERA. The Tigers have also had her back in a major way offering 25 runs of support outscoring their opponents 25-3 in the Fremont, Ariz., last three outings. She is now 7-5 on the year.
Mizzou improves to 14-16 on the year. It hosts Day 2 of the Missouri Invitational on Saturday at University Field. Below is a complete schedule of tomorrow's action. For more information on Tiger softball, log on to www.mutigers.com.
