April 18, 2004
Columbia, Mo. - The Missouri softball team swept Big 12 Conference opponent Baylor (No. 20) in a two-game series that closed with a 4-3 victory today at University Field. The win helps Missouri improve to 21-21 on the season and 8-2 in Conference play, while Baylor drops to 37-12 (7-5).
Sophomore second baseman Samantha Fleeman put Missouri on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second inning. Taking a double off of Baylor freshman right-handed pitcher Lisa Ferguson, Fleeman advanced to third on an error and was brought home on a sacrifice fly to right field by freshman Sarah Stringer.
The Tigers scored their second run in the third inning as freshman center fielder Leanne Bowers came home on a double by freshman catcher Kathy Masterson. Bowers currently leads the team in runs, scoring her 27th in today's game.
Up 2-0 in the fourth, Missouri scored its final two runs of the game with freshman second baseman Alli Kennewell and Stringer making their way across the plate. With two outs on the board, left-handed batter Bowers ripped a double to center field allowing Kennewell to score and put Stringer on third. With a passed ball tossed to batter Morgan LeCluyse, Stringer scored the game-winning run.
Missouri held Baylor scoreless through six innings of play, but the Lady Bears rallied in the seventh with back-to-back homeruns off of MU junior pitcher Erin Kalka. Striking out her first batter, Kalka gave up a single to BU junior Melissa Maler, while Chelsi Lake hit a long ball over the left field fence to bring in the Lady Bears first two runs of the game. Next up for Baylor was sophomore Harmony Schwethelm who had an inside-the-park homerun cutting the MU lead to within one run. Playing strong defense, the Tigers held onto their lead as LeCluyse caught the final out of the game with a pop ball to left field by Kelly Levesque.
"I'm pleased with the way the team was able to put the ball into play," head coach Ty Singleton said. "They were hitting the ball hard, getting plays and taking bases. I'm proud of their approach to this series. To come away with two wins against a ranked team is great. The team is really showing that they're capable of playing in this highly competitive conference. It's fun to see the inexperienced becoming more experienced."
Winning the two-game series against Baylor, it was Missouri's seventh sweep of the season and third over a Big 12 Conference Opponent.
The Missouri softball team will put its 11-home game winning streak on the line as they host Pittsburg State on Wednesday, April 21, at 6 p.m. (CT) at University Field. The Tigers' 10 home wins this season are the most ever since the stadium opened in 1999.