May 13, 2005
Final Stats
Oklahoma City, Okla. -- Playing their third game of the Big 12 softball tournament, the Tigers held off seventh-seeded Nebraska, 5-1, at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Okla., with the assistance of a first inning grand slam by senior shortstop Heather Kunkel (Oak Forest, Ill.). Recording grand slams in back-to-back days, the Tigers are the first team in Big 12 softball history to accomplish the feat in tournament games.
The heroics of Kunkel pulled Missouri (40-12) ahead of Nebraska, 4-1, at the close of the first inning. Swinging on a bases-loaded, two-out, first pitch, Kunkel launched the ball over the left field fence for her first grand slam and 14th homer of the season. Missouri's hit-hungry lineup lit up Nebraska ace Ashley DeBuhr tallying five runs on six hits during her seven innings on the mound. Sophomore centerfielder Leanne Bowers (Arnold, Mo.) led off for the Tigers and sent a fly ball to awaiting NU second baseman Anne Steffan. Batting from the two-hole, designated player Jen Bruck (St. Peter, Mo.) knocked a single to left field bringing up redshirt freshman Micaela Minner (Sanger, Texas) who drew a walk, DeBuhr's first of two in the game. Yesterday's grand slam-slugger, freshman first baseman Amanda Renth (Mascoutah, Ill.), loaded the bases after swatting a single up the middle to bring up outfielder Janessa Roening (Port Angeles, Wash.). Hitless through two games, Roening stranded MU's runners on base when she popped to third base. A right-handed batter, Kunkel crushed her 22nd career home run and is one shy of tying 1995 graduate Tiffany Heick for third (23) on the MU career home runs chart.
Sophomore catcher Kathy Masterson (St. Louis, Mo.) added MU's fifth run of the game with a two-out solo shot to left center. It was Masterson's
Senior pitcher Erin Kalka (Chandler, Okla,.) tossed the entire game, fanning seven batters and allowing only one run on four hits.
Nebraska (35-21) scored its only run of the game in the first inning after Jessica Yoachim walked to first, reached second on a sacrifice hit and advanced home on a single by first baeman Sheena Lawrick.
The win sends Missouri to a 7:30 p.m. (CT) rematch with fourth-seeded Baylor. Missouri suffered its tournament-opening game to the Bears, 7-3, yesterday morning.
Of Note: The Tigers have notched 75 home runs this season, the most of any Big 12 softball team, and second most behind the Oklahoma State baseball team who owns 88.