April 8, 2006
Austin, Texas - After leading No. 1 ranked Texas for six-and-a-half innings in Austin, the Missouri softball team (18-16, 2-3) fell to the Longhorns (39-4, 6-1), 4-3, at McCombs Field when UT first baseman Jacqueline Williams crushed a walkoff two-run home run over the fence in right center. Five Tigers combined for six hits off Olympic gold medalist pitcher Cat Osterman. It marked the most hits that Osterman has given up all season.
Missouri put up two runs on three hits in the top of the fourth inning. Leading off, junior Leanne Bowers (Arnold, Mo.) laid down a bunt to third base to reach first. Sophomore pitcher Jen Bruck (St. Peters, Mo.) followed with a single through the left side and first baseman Amanda Renth (Mascoutah, Ill.) knocked a one out, two RBI double to drive in Bowers and Bruck while she advanced to third on the throw. Renth, 2-for-3 on the day with her double and sixth inning two out single through the left side, was stranded at third on back-to-back Tiger strikeouts.
Holding the Longhorns hitless, Missouri came back in the top of the fifth and increased their lead. Junior catcher Kathy Masterson (St. Louis, Mo.) hit a first pitch double to left field and advanced to third on a groundout by freshman shortstop Andee Allen (Barnhart, Mo.) Masterson ran home on a bunt by leadoff batter Gina Schneider (Liberty, Mo.).
Texas closed the gap in the bottom of the sixth when shortstop Desiree Williams knocked a two-out full count single up the middle to score two Longhorn runs.
Bruck, now 16-11 on the season, held the Longhorns to only four hits on the day. Throwing a complete game, Bruck struckout two batters and forced eight groundouts.
Missouri and Texas will play game two of the inter-league series Sunday, April 9 at 1 p.m. (CST).