April 17, 2004
Columbia, Mo. - Scoring the game winning run with a homerun in the bottom of the fifth-inning, MU freshman Alli Kennewell helped the Tigers' to a 1-0 shutout over No. 20 Baylor in today's softball game at University Field. Improving to 20-21 on the season (7-2 in the Big 12 Conference), the Tigers are now 9-0 in games at home, and set the longest home winning streak since opening the stadium in 1999. The loss dropped Baylor to 37-11 overall and 7-4 in the Conference.
With one out and an 0-2 count, second baseman Kennewell (Eden Prairie, Minn.) scored Missouri's only run of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning, driving the ball far over the head of Baylor centerfielder Kelly Levesque (220 feet). Kennewell took her first homerun of the season off of right-handed pitcher Cristin Vitek who now stands at 23-5 on the season.
"I really wasn't expecting to hit a homerun," Kennewell said. "I wasn't a homerun-hitter in high school. Today's hit just felt really good."
The shutout is Missouri's 11th of the season, second consecutive and sixth solo for junior pitcher Erin Kalka. Throwing eight strikeouts on the day, Kalka improves to a season-high 222 strikeouts and moves to sixth on the MU Season Strikeout Chart, passing 2002 graduate Stephanie Falk (218 in 1999). The win makes Kalka 16-13 on the season and gives her a 1.79 ERA.
Ending her hitless three-game drought, sophomore first baseman Joanne Loethen earned Missouri's only other hit on the game. Ripping a single down the right-field line in the third inning, Loethen was tagged out at second on a fielder's choice that allowed freshman Sarah Stringer to take first. The inning came to a close after freshman Leanne Bowers grounded out to Vitek.
Missouri's victory over No. 20 Baylor marks the fifth time of the season that the Tigers' have taken a win over a ranked opponent (the first coming on March 10 against then No. 20 Arizona State).
The Missouri softball team will continue its two-game series against the Baylor Bears tomorrow at 1 p.m. (CT) at University Field.