May 21, 2005
Columbia, Mo.- Missouri proved to be too tough for Robert Morris this afternoon, as the Tigers bounced back from last night's defeat with a 9-0 win at University Field. Robert Morris is the first team eliminated from the Columbia, Missouri Regional.
Missouri redshirt freshman Micaela Minner hit the first pitch she saw over the left center field wall for a solo home run in the top of the first inning (MU played as the visiting team) to get the Tigers on the scoreboard.
In the second, Missouri junior Kendra Power grounded out, scoring senior Heather Kunkel and advancing sophomore Kathy Masterson to third. Masterson scored on the next pitch as Robert Morris senior right-handed pitcher Erin Riggle unleashed a wild pitch.
Later in the second Tiger sophomore Leanne Bowers singled and freshman Jen Bruck was hit by a pitch. Minner singled, scoring Bowers from second, giving Minner two RBI in two innings. Missouri freshman Amanda Renth hit a bloop single to left scoring Bruck from second and advancing Minner to second to make it 5-0 Tigers.
Robert Morris pulled Riggle after one and two-thirds in favor of sophomore left-hander Danielle Cohen. Cohen's first batter Kunkel reached on a walk scoring Minner from third giving Missouri a six to zero lead
Missouri pulled senior pitcher Erin Kalka after one inning of work in favor of sophomore Erica Peterson. The top of the third saw Missouri's Power and sophomore Sarah Stinger reach before Bruck hit a three-run homer to right center, scoring Power and Stringer giving Missouri a nine to zero lead after three.
That's how it stood all the way into the bottom of the fifth, with the eight-run rule in effect if the Tigers held RMU to one run or less. Bruck relieved Peterson and promptly struck out the side to end the game. The trio of Tiger pitchers combined on a no-hitter, MU's fourth of the season. Only one Colonial reached base on the day, as starter Erin Kalka surrendered a walk in the bottom of the first.
Mizzou (43-14 on the season) advanced to play Southern Illinois-Carbondale (47-13) in an elimination game tonight, scheduled for 7 p.m. at University Field. The Tigers will look to avenge two earlier losses this season to the Salukis, including a 3-0 defeat last night in Columbia.