May 22, 2005
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Stanford University won the NCAA Columbia, MO Regional title with a 3-2 victory over host Missouri Tigers in seven innings.
In the bottom of the first, Missouri red shirt freshman Micaela Minner hit a home run over the 220 sign in center field which also scored redshirt freshman Jen Bruck who had reached base on a two out walk. The 2-0 lead for the tigers was the first time during the Regional tournament that Stanford had trailed. The Cardinal trailed for a grand total 1 2/3 innings.
Missouri Tiger senior pitcher Erin Kalka then surrendered the teams first hit in 12 2/3 innings in the second inning when Stanford sophomore Jackie Rinehart recorded an infield single beating out the throw from shortstop Heather Kunkel.The Cardinal threat continued with runners on the corners, when Tricia Aggabao slapped a hit down the third base line. However, Kalka fielded the ball and tossed to sophomore catcher Kathy Masterson to get Rinehart at the plate to end the threat.
In the third, Stanford put two runners on with a single by Katherine Hoffman and a double by Catalina Morris giving them two on with no outs. However, Kalka regained her composure to get Laura Lappin to fly out to left. She then threw a wild pitch, but was able to get Hoffman at the plate after a strange play where two base runners almost occupied the same base. Following a two-out walk to Michelle Smith, Stanford took the lead for good with a home run by Leah Nelson scoring Morris from third and Smith from first.
After surrendering the lead, Missouri pulled Kalka for sophomore southpaw Erica Peterson. Peterson got the final out of the inning with a groundout to short.
In the fourth Missouri put two runners on, but was unable to score after two fly outs and a strike out to end the inning. In the fifth Missouri sophomore Leanne Bowers singled and then stole second and third on consecutive pitches, but the Tigers were unable to bring her home.
After the homerun by Nelson neither team scored a run, but each team had opportunities. The Tigers used to pinch hitters in the seventh, but Stanford's freshman pitcher Becky McCullough recorded her sixth strikeout of Mizzou's Allison Tobyne to end the game.
The Tigers end the season at 44-15 while Stanford (43-14) advances to the Super Regionals which will be played site that will be announced at a later date.