Missouri
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Kansas
Missouri Softball Shuts Out Kansas
4/14/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 14, 2004
Lawrence, Kan. - The Missouri softball team took its sixth conference win of the season in a 3-0 victory over Border War rival Kansas tonight at Arrocha Field. The Tigers improve to 19-21 on the season (6-2 in the Big 12), while the Jayhawks drop to 24-21-1 (2-7).
Missouri broke open a scoreless pitchers dual in the top of the sixth inning when freshman Leanne Bowers smacked a two-out double to bring home freshman catcher Kathy Masterson from second base. Bowers hit the ball deep into left-center for her sixth double of the season and seventh RBI. A walk by Kansas right-handed pitcher Kara Pierce helped Masterson to first and she slid into second for her third steal on five attempts this season. Bowers led the team with two hits on the game breaking her three-game hitless drought.
Runs two and three followed in the seventh inning as junior Heather Kunkel and sophomore Samantha Fleeman helped secure the Tigers' lead. Kunkel advanced to first on a fielder's choice, with Fleeman getting a hit into right field to help Kunkel advance to second. With two runners on base, it was the first time of the game that either team had multiple runners in scoring position. Both Tigers' advanced a base on a double-steal, with Kunkel scoring on a throwing error by Kansas third baseman Sandy Smith. Fleeman followed, scoring on a passed ball by Kansas catcher Dani May.
Junior pitcher Erin Kalka started her 26th game of the season, striking out eight batters and only allowing three hits. Kalka improved to 215 strikeouts on the season and moved to seventh on Missouri's season all-time strikeout chart passing 1992 graduate Karen Snelgrove.
The shutout was Missouri's 10th of the season and second over the Jayhawks for the 2004 season. One week ago on April 7, the Tigers defeated Kansas 7-0 at University Field.
The Tigers return home for two games against Big 12 opponent Baylor. Game one will open at University Field at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 17, with game two following on Sunday, April 18 at 1 p.m.
