Feb. 24, 2006
Columbus, Ga. - Playing their first game of the 11th annual NFCA Leadoff Classic, No. 24 Missouri (4-5) suffered a 3-0 loss to No. 23 North Carolina (9-1) on field No. 4 of South Commons Complex in Columbus, Ga.
Scoreless through three innings, North Carolina pitcher Lisa Norris drove in the first two runs of the game with a one-out triple to left center in the top of the fourth. Earlier in the inning Jennifer Jacobs sent a fly ball to Missouri shortstop Alli Kennewell (Eden Prairie, Minn.) bringing up Breanna Brown who singled to sophomore pitcher Jen Bruck (St. Peters, Mo.) and advanced to second on a throwing error by Bruck. Joslin Higgins drew a walk to reach first and Norris was next at the plate. Both of UNC's runs were earned and Norris was credited with two RBI. Cassie Palmer helped the Tarheels to a 3-0 lead with her two-out shot to left field that send Norris home from third.
The Tigers managed only one hit, a second inning single by Bruck, off of the freshman UNC pitcher. This marked only the third time of the season that Missouri was held to fewer than five hits in a game. Bruck suffered her third loss of the season (4-3) allowing three runs off six hits in six innings before freshman righty Megan Dennis (Liberty, Mo.) made her eighth appearance in the circle. Dennis fanned seventh inning leadoff batter Palmer, gave up one single and forced UNC's final two batters to fly out.
Up next for the Tigers, Missouri will play No. 17 Auburn in a 6:30 p.m. (CST) game at South Commons Complex. Fans can stay up-to-date with Missouri statistics through GameTracker at www.mutigers.com.