Feb. 17, 2006
Tucson, Ariz.. - Facing their highest ranked opponent in two years, the No. 18 Tigers fell victim to No. 3 Arizona, 4-0, in game one of the Worth Wildcat Invitational at Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Arizona scored all four runs in the sixth inning, dropping Missouri and sophomore pitcher Jen Bruck (St. Peters, Mo.) to 2-2 on the season.
Right-handed pitcher Bruck went to work in the first inning, fanning Arizona leadoff hitter Caitlin Lowe. Hitless and scoreless in the first, it marked only the second time in eight games that the Wildcats failed to score in the first. Later in the game, Bruck fanned 2005 Player of the Year Runner Up Lowe in the bottom of the fifth inning, a feat opponents have only managed twice in 57 games.
Bruck came up with Missouri's first hit of the game in the top of the second inning. After Arizona pitching ace and current USA Softball Player of the Week Alicia Hollowell retired Missouri first baseman Amanda Renth (Mascoutah, Ill.), Bruck singled to left field and junior third baseman Amanda Jo White (Tallmadge, Ohio) followed with a single up the middle. Both runners stole bags to reach second and third, but were left on base after two Tigers struckout.
Arizona scored four runs off two hits and two errors in the sixth to pull ahead of the Tigers. After outfielder Autumn Champion grounded out to third, Kristie Fox walked and Chelsie Mesa doubled to centerfield driving home Arizona pinch runner Kelly Nelson from first base. Back-to-back errors by Missouri shortstop Alli Kennewell (Eden Prairie, Minn.) and a fielder's choice put runners on first and second with Arizona's eight-hole hitter Jenae Leles at the plate. Leles tripled to centerfield giving the Wildcats their 4-0 lead and eventual win.
Up next for the Tigers, Missouri will close out day one of the tournament with a night game against North Carolina State. Tomorrow, the Tigers will open action with Pacific at Noon (CST) following with a game against Big 12 opponent Texas Tech at 1 p.m. (CST).