April 24, 2004
College Station, Texas - Opening the first inning of action two hours late and in the rain, the Missouri softball team suffered a 2-0 loss to Texas A&M in College Station at the Aggie Softball Complex in game one of a two-game series. The loss drops Missouri to 21-22 on the season and 8-3 in the Big 12 Conference, while the Aggies improve to 30-16 and 12-1. Texas A&M entered the 4 p.m. game second in the Conference with Missouri close behind in third.
Texas A&M leftfielder Jena James scored both of the Aggies runs, putting up the first in the bottom of the fourth inning. With one out, James had a single to diving Missouri shortstop Heather Kunkel, beating out the throw by a half step. James took second on a wild pitch and crossed the plate with a single to left center by left-handed outfielder Nicole Robinson.
In her next at bat, and third appearance of the game at the plate, James hit a long ball over the left field fence (190 feet) for second run of the game.
Missouri junior pitcher Erin Kalka threw for 5.1 innings, adding three strikeouts to her season total (228). Retiring seven straight batters between the first and third innings, Kalka was replaced by left-handed pitcher freshman Erica Peterson in the sixth inning. The Tigers were able to close out the sixth on a double play by Kunkel to sophomore first baseman Joanne Loethen. With Robinson back at the plate, she made contact for a bobbled hit to Kunkel who in turn made a fast turn to Loethen.
"Heather really stood out on defense today," Head Coach Ty Singleton said. "She did a nice job of leading the defense throughout the game."
The Tigers managed two hits on the day, the first coming in the second inning by Kunkel. Taking her ninth double of the season on a hit up the left field line, Kunkel now leads the team with doubles on the season. Senior outfielder Morgan LeCluyse had MU's second hit leading off the fourth inning with a single to right center off of senior pitcher Jessica Kapchinski.
"The defense did a nice job today," Singleton said. The offense needs to do a better job of driving the ball. I'm hopeful we can get our game in tomorrow afternoon and give A&M a run."
Missouri took only three bases on the day, with Kunkel getting on twice for the Tigers, walking off of a full count and two outs in the top of the seventh inning.
The Tigers will close out their two-game series with Texas A&M tomorrow at noon at the Aggie Softball Complex.