March 8, 2004
Columbia, Mo. - Entering with an 8-11 season record, the Missouri softball team managed to sweep Drake in a three-game series that closed with a 3-2 score in the bottom of the seventh inning of game three at University Field. The final win was Missouri's first sweep of the season.
Drake took the early lead in the first inning, earning two runs with hits off of junior pitcher Erin Kalka. Scoreless through five straight innings, the MU softball team found its first hit of the game in the bottom of the seventh with a drive up the center by junior shortstop Heather Kunkel. Advancing to third on an error by Drake shortstop Molly Daniels, freshman catcher Kathy Masterson made her way to second, with Kunkel earning the first Missouri run on a passed ball by Bulldog catcher Nicole Wood. Freshman Alli Kennewell stepped up to the plate next, offering a sacrifice fly that brought home Masterson for Tiger run number two. With two outs on the board, sophomore Kendra Power made the next appearance at the plate for Missouri, walking to first base and stealing second. With the game-winning run at second, junior Ashley Hays singled up the center to take her third RBI of the season with Power crossing the plate to the excitement of 153 Missouri fans.
"I really hadn't hit well in today's game," Hays said. "I definitely wanted to come out and find something I could hit. Luckily, I did."
Power's stolen base in the seventh was her fourth on five attempts this season, the third highest rate on the team. Currently, freshman Leanne Bowers holds the most stolen bases on the team with 10 on 12 attempts.
"Throughout the entire game, the team had the desire to win," head coach Ty Singleton said. "We just weren't able to control our approach at the plate. It's really nice to pull out the win in the end. I think it helps to build confidence in the team, and they will be able to look back on today's game later in the season for encouragement."
Drake's loss was its fourth straight of the season. The Bulldgos entered Saturday's doubleheader with a loss to Big 12 school Texas Tech. Missouri took two wins over Drake in yesterday's doubleheader, 7-1 and 10-2.
Missouri will take to the road for it's next five games of the season. The Tigers will open their first in Tempe, Ariz., against Arizona State on Wednesday, with a doubleheader beginning at at 8 p.m. CT followed by game two at 10 p.m. CT.