April 27, 2005
Columbia, Mo. -- Playing in their final non-conference game of the season, the 19th-ranked Missouri softball team (34-10) swept the North Dakota State Bisons (22-25), 9-1 and 8-0, on University Field. Both games ended short of seven innings, the first closed out in six, the second in five. Altogether, five Tigers combined for seven home runs on the day, with freshman Jen Bruck (St. Peters, Mo.) launching back-to-back blasts in game one and sophomore Alli Kennewell (Eden Prairie, Minn.) following suit with back-to-back knocks in game two. As a team, the MU squad has notched 64 moonshots in 2005, 36 coming at home.
Bruck (14-3) and sophomore southpaw Erica Peterson (Irving, Texas) (16-2) were each credited with a Tiger win. Making her 17th start on the mound this season, Bruck fanned four batters in the first game, but helped North Dakota State to its only run after overthrowing second base in the top of the second inning. The error, made on a botched fielder's choice, sent Bison third baseman Amy Hemingson, who reach first after being hit by pitch, around the bases for North Dakota State's only run of the two-game series.
Finding redemption in the top of the third, Bruck led off the inning and crushed a solo shot over the left field fence, following with a fourth inning two RBI blast, also to left field. Bruck was 3-6 on the day, notching three RBI, through two homers and her second game, third inning one-out triple to right center. Bruck owns 11 home runs on the season.
Kennewell started in both of Missouri's outings today, playing at second base in game one and shortstop for game two. 3-5 on the series, Kennewell was 2-3 in the evening game, sending her first and second homers of the season wailing over the right center and centerfield fence, respectively. Kennewell's first punch brought in two runs, with the second, a leadoff bomb, bringing in run number seven.
Sophomore Kathy Masterson (St. Louis, Mo.) was the only other Tiger to power a home run in the first game. After smacking her third triple of the season to center field in the third inning, the catcher took her next at bat in the sixth inning and pounded the ball over the center field fence for her fifth trip of the season around the bases.
Hungry for home runs, redshirt freshman Micaela Minner (Sanger, Texas) came within one bomb of current MU season home run record holder Mary Babb's 1997 record of 16. Owning every ounce of the ball, Minner sent the ball over the right field fence for her 15th crush of the season. Minner's hit was the second of four straight swats given up by Bison pitcher Bekki Rasmussen in game two.
Senior Ashley Hays (Swinke, Mo.) once again brought in the game winning run. Hitting from the seven hole, Hays followed Kennewell's fifth inning shot with a one out walk-off rip over the center field fence for the eighth and final MU run of the game. It was her first home run of the season and second of her four year career at Missouri.
"The entire team went out and played with a lot of heart today," Head Coach Ty Singleton said. "They all really looked like they were relaxed and enjoying the game. It was fun to watch the balls flying over the outfield fence. We need to have this same mentality and approach heading into our series with Texas A&M this weekend. If we do, it could be another fun weekend for everyone involved."
The Tigers will host the fifth-ranked Texas A&M Aggies in a two-game conference series beginning Saturday, April 30, at 2 p.m. (CT) on University Field, following with a noon game on Sunday, May 1.