March 5, 2004

Columbia, Mo. - The Missouri softball team will host Drake in a three-game series Saturday, March 6 and Sunday, March 7, at University Field. With a doubleheader on Saturday, game one will begin at 2 p.m. with game two set for 4 p.m. Sunday's final game of the series is slated to begin at 11 a.m.

The Tigers hold a 6-11 season record, most recently taking wins over Oklahoma City in a doubleheader on Tuesday. Led by head coach Ty Singleton, Missouri took game one with a 6-3 score, followed with an 8-0, five inning game on University Field.

Originally scheduled to play Wichita State in Kansas on Wednesday, the game was postponed until further notice due to inclement weather.

Missouri pitchers Erin Kalka, Samantha Fleeman and Erica Peterson are all expected to see time on the mound in Missouri's three-game series. Combined, the three women hold a 2.37 ERA and have struckout 158 opponents in 110 innings played. Kalka and Fleeman both hold three wins to their name, with Kalka making a start in nine of Missouri's 11 games this season.

Drake enters the series with a 9-2 season record, most recently suffering a loss to Big 12 school Texas Tech (2-8) on Feb. 28. Pitcher Katie Shimon or Jessica Hicks are expected to start in Saturday's 2 p.m. game. Hicks currently holds a 5-1 win/loss record and .48 ERA, while Shimon is 3-1 on the season with a 1.80 ERA.

Missouri fans should come out and support their Tiger softball team this weekend as they won't be home again until March 17th when MU hosts Southwest Missouri State in a doubleheader scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.