March 2, 2004

Columbia, Mo. - Hosting their first home games of the season, the Missouri softball team took back-to-back wins over the Oklahoma City Stars in today's doubleheader. With a score of 6-3 in game one, the Tigers closed game two in five innings with eight runs (8-0), improving to 6-11 on the season.

"It was really nice to be at home on our own field," head softball coach Ty Singleton said. "The weather is a little bit cooler than what we've seen on our tournament trips, but it's nice to be back on our own dirt. We've had an intense and demanding schedule the past few weeks. The team was really ready to get back out there and play in front of a home crowd. And, in general, I'm really pleased with the performance each of the women gave today."

Each team scored a homerun in game one, with Oklahoma City infielder Lelys Gomez taking the first off of MU sophomore pitcher Samantha Fleeman in the bottom of the first inning. Missouri managed to cut the lead in half with a run by freshman Leanne Bowers made possible by a sacrifice from senior Morgan LeCluyse.

With junior Heather Kunkel grabbing a double in her first at-bat of the game, Fleeman stepped to the plate swinging for her first homerun of the season. With power behind her hit, Fleeman was able to clear the outfield fence and bring the score to 3-2. The Stars were never able to regain control of the game, scoring only one more run in the top of the sixth inning. With the scoreboard reading 6-3 in favor of Missouri, Fleeman brought her total wins to three on the season (ERA-1.81, IP-44.2, SO-52), and brought the Stars eight game winning streak to an end.

Freshman Allli Kennewell had a big day for the Tigers, recording two doubles in three at bats of game one. Taking her first in the fourth inning, Kennewell was able to advance to third and finally score on a single, hit by sophomore Kendra Power. Returning at the bottom of the sixth, Kennewell hit her second double, scoring on a single by designated hitter Fleeman.

With 20 minutes between the two games, junior pitcher Erin Kalka returned to the mound after throwing for 1.2 innings at the conclusion of game one. With three strikeouts to her name from the earlier game, Kalka chalked up three more in game two, pitching for four innings, before being relieved by freshman Erica Peterson. To date, Kalka holds a 2.91 ERA, striking out 83 batters in 46.1 total innings pitched.

The two teams played only five innings of game two, after Missouri racked up a combined eight runs in the third and fourth inning. Freshman catcher Kathy Masterson made an appearance behind the plate, but her at bat in the third inning is what impressed the crowd the most. With one out on the board, Masterson hit her first triple of the season driving home runs by Fleeman, Kennewell and Kunkel. Totaling four RBI on the season, Masterson is tied with Fleeman for the second highest amount on the team (six-Morgan, LeCluyse and Kendra Power). Next to the plate was Power who tabbed a sacrifice fly to center field, allowing Masterson home for Missouri's sixth run of the inning.

Improving on game one, LeCluyse brought her total bases on the season to 18 with a double and single in the third and fourth innings respectively. Leading the team with hits, 13, LeCluyse has a .283 batting average, and has started in all 17 of Missouri's games.

With the back-to-back victories, the Tiger team now holds a 6-11 season record, with three consecutive winning games. Oklahoma City currently stands at 8-3.

Ranked fifth in the Big 12 Conference, the Tigers will travel to Wichita State for a double header tomorrow, (March 3) in Wichita, Kan. With game one slated to begin at 2 p.m., game two is set for 4 p.m. Missouri will play in its second home series beginning Saturday, March 6, with a doubleheader against Drake (2 p.m. and 4 p.m.), followed by the third game of the series on Sunday, March 7, at 11 a.m.