April 19, 2006
After suffering back-to-back losses at home, the Missouri softball team will try its luck in Lawrence, Kan., in game two of the Midwest Border Showdown with the Jayhawks beginning at 5 p.m. (CST) at Arrocha Ballpark. The Tigers took game one of the league series last Wednesday at home in a 4-0 victory, snapping a six-game losing streak, Missouri's longest of the season.
Live stats for the game will be provided by Gametracker on Missouri's athletic website, mutigers.com and audio will be available on KLWN 1320 in Lawrence. The second meeting of the season between the two teams will also air in tape-delay on Metro Sports, Thursday, April 20, at 7 p.m. (CST).
Down five-and-a-half points (17.5-12) in the annual Midwest Ford Border Showdown, a win by either team will provide their respective school with 1.5 points towards the coveted cup.
The Tigers lead Kansas 52-38 in the all-time series and own a 7-4 record when playing in Lawrence. Last season, Missouri shutout the Jayhawks, 3-0, at Arrocha Ballpark. Tiger Head Coach Ty Singleton is 6-1 against Kansas and a perfect 4-0 in Jayhawk territory. After playing four straight home games, Missouri's trip to Kansas will mark the beginning of a five-game road series in which the Tigers will take on No. 17 Texas A&M and Iowa State. The Tigers are 6-7 on the road this season.
Sophomore Jen Bruck currently leads the team with her .356 batting average. Bruck has crushed seven home runs this season, second only to redshirt sophomore Micaela Minner's eight. Minner currently stands second in the Missouri career home run record book with 25 homers and Bruck stands in fourth with 23.
Bruck will likely be Missouri's starting pitcher against the Jayhawks. 18-13 on the season, Bruck has hurled 172.1 innings and struckout 125 batters. Freshman Megan Dennis, now 2-5 on the season, could serve in relief.
Looking Ahead: Upon return from Lawrence, Kan., the Tigers will prepare for their sixth Big 12 series of the season when they take on No. 17 Texas A&M beginning Saturday, April 22 at 2 p.m. (CST) and wrap with a Sunday game at 1 p.m. (CST).
Senior Day: Just a quick reminder that Missouri's two seniors Joanne Loethen and Janessa Roening will be honored, Sunday, April 30, prior to first pitch of MU's game against Texas Tech.