April 7, 2004

Three days removed from the Oklahoma State series, the Missouri Softball team will be back in action Wednesday, April 7, at 6 p.m., at University Field against Border War rival Kansas. 4-0 in the highly competitive Big 12 Conference, the Tigers are second in the league behind the 5-0 Nebraska Cornhuskers. Kansas is currently fifth with a 2-3 record.

With the all-time series record at 48-37 in favor of Missouri, the Tigers' most recent victories came in back-to-back wins over the Jayhawks last season on April 21, in Lawrence, Kan.

Big 12 Pitcher of the Week Erin Kalka is expected to return to the mound for Missouri. Coming off of a 20-inning, 35 strikeout weekend against the Oklahoma State Cowgirls, Kalka boasts a 1.91 ERA and moved to third in the NCAA record book for most strikeouts in a single game (25).

Leading Missouri in hits is senior outfielder Morgan LeCluyse. Swinging for 31 on the season, LeCluyse holds the most RBI on the team with 15. LeCluyse's six-game hitting streak came to an end on Sunday after failing to find a hit off of OSU pitcher Randi Cook.

The Tigers are in desperate need of a win over the Jayhawks in order to tally more points for the Border War Rivalry. The Wednesday night game will be worth 1.5 points.

LOOKING AHEAD: Missouri will travel to Norman, Okla., for a doubleheader against the Sooners on Saturday, April 10. Game one is set to begin at noon, with game two following at 2 p.m.