April 9, 2006
Austin, Texas - Scoreless through six-and-a-half innings, the Missouri softball team (18-17, 2-4) suffered its second straight seventh inning loss to No. 1 Texas (40-4, 7-1) by a score of 1-0 at McCombs Field in Austin, Texas. This marks the 11th game between the two teams that has been decided by one run and sixth loss to the Longhorns by a single run.
Missouri pitcher Jen Bruck (St. Peters, Mo.) held the Longhorns to only three hits on the day, but gave up the seventh inning game-winning double to right center to Jacqueline Williams, the same UT batter that crushed yesterday's final frame, game-winning home run. Bruck walked Texas leadoff hitter Megan Willis to start the inning and MicKayla Padilla entered the game to pinch run. Designated player Kacie Gaskin came to the plate and was tagged out at first on the throw from Bruck to MU second baseman Gina Schneider (Liberty, Mo.). With Padilla on second, Williams came through with an 0-1 hit to drive in Texas' only run of the game.
Only Tiger junior Leanne Bowers (Arnold, Mo.) was able to manage a hit off Texas lefty Cat Osterman. 1-for-3 at the plate, Bowers notched a fourth inning, one out single to centerfield but became one of five Tigers left on base in Missouri's two games with the Longhorns. Bowers finished the two game series 2-for-5 with one run. Seven of Missouri's 18-member squad have managed at least one hit off of Osterman.
Next up for the Tigers is the first of a two-game series against Border Showdown opponent Kansas, Wednesday, April 12, at 6 p.m. (CST). Playing at home on University Field, this will be Missouri's first of four straight home games.