March 6, 2004
Columbia, Mo-In the second home doubleheader of the season the Tigers took two back-to-back wins over the Drake Bulldogs. The Tigers won the first game by a score of 7-1 improving to 7-11 on the season.
"It was really good to see them hitting the ball well today," head softball coach Ty Singleton said. "In these last three games we've really been hitting the ball and it was nice to see it come together for some wins. We've been working on our approach and focusing on the moment and it was really nice to see their approach today."
In game one Missouri started the scoring in the bottom of the second inning on a run by junior shortstop Heather Kunkel driven in by a double by junior outfielder Ashley Hays. The Tigers had a huge third inning scoring three runs on two hits to bring the score to 4-0. Once the Tigers had the lead they never looked back and managed to score three more runs before the game was over.
Pitching for the Tigers was junior Erin Kalka. She had nine strikeouts in the game before freshman Erica Petersen came in to finish the game.
The Bulldogs got on the scoreboard in the top of the sixth inning when shortstop Lindsey Larry scored on a Tiger passed ball.
In the second game of the day the Tigers won by a score of 10-2, scoring six runs in the fourth inning. The Tigers started the scoring in the first inning getting runs from Leanne Bowers and Morgan LeCluyse. Lecluyse drove Bowers home on a double to right field and then was able to advance home herself on a wild pitch by the Bulldogs.
Pitching for the Tigers was Samantha Fleeman. She had seven strikeouts, two runs and two walks before freshman Erica Petersen came into the game.
The Bulldogs had a triple in the fourth inning to tie the score at two before the Tigers added three runs in the bottom the fourth.
The Tigers managed to get six runs on the board with scores from Heather Kunkel, Morgan Kent, Alli Kennewell, Ashley Hays, Leanne Bowers and Joanne Loethen. This pushed the Tigers to an 8-2 lead going into the fifth inning.
The Bulldogs weren't able to counter the Tigers offensive production in the fifth and the Tigers managed to put two more runs on the board in the bottom of the sixth inning making the final score 10-2.
The final game of the series will be played tomorrow morning at 11 am. at University Field. This will be the last home game before the Tigers head to the west coast to play series with Arizona and Arizona State.