March 12, 2003
COLUMBIA, Mo.-- - COLUMBIA, Mo.- The Mizzou softball team improved to 12-10 on the year by sweeping a doubleheader against Pittsburg State on Wednesday at University Field.
Samantha Fleeman struck out 10 and gave up only one hit in game one to get Mizzou the 6-2 win. Both of the Gorillas runs were unearned.
The Tigers got on the board first with three runs in the bottom of the second inning. They added another run in the fourth to make it a 4-0 lead. The Gorillas cut into Missouri's lead in half when Michelle Martinez connected on a two-run homerun in the fourth inning. MU added runs in the fifth and sixth inning for the 6-2 final.
Joanne Loethen and Daisy Mettlach each were 2-for-3 to lead MU at the plate. Loethen, Heather Kunkel and Morgan LeCluyse had two RBI each for the Tigers.
Mizzou began game two with a four-run first inning. The game remained 4-0 until the sixth inning, when three Tiger homeruns in the inning ended the game. Rachael McGinnis began the homer parade with a solo shot to left center, her third of the season. Two batters later, Mettlach hit her second homer of the year, followed by LeCluyse, who hit her second homerun of the season. LeCluyse's shot made the lead 8-0, invoking the eight-run rule to end the game just minutes before rain began to fall.
McGinnis was 3-for-3 with two RBI and LeCluyse, Mettlach and Loethen were each 2-for-3 with two RBI in the nightcap. Kalka recorded her fourth shutout of the season, striking out 10 and giving up just two hits to improve to 7-5 on the year.
The Tigers will travel to Houston, Texas this weekend to take part in the Houston Tournament. MU opens play in the tournament against the University of Houston at noon on Saturday.