March 9, 2007
Tempe, Ariz. - Taking on host school Arizona State, ranked No. 3 in the nation, the Missouri softball team (17-10) suffered a 4-2 loss to the Sun Devils at Farrington Stadium in their second game of the Pac 10/Big 12 Showdown. Freshman Alaina Jacobson (Crocker, Mo.) was credited with the loss, only her second of the season (2-2). Through six innings of work, Jacobson managed to strike out three Sun Devils, but gave up four earned runs on eight hits, the deciding runs scoring in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Arizona State took a two run lead in the bottom of the third inning, but Missouri was able to tie things up in the top of the seventh. With senior Amanda Jo White (Tallmadge, Ohio) leading off, the third baseman singled to right field and advanced to third on freshman Julie Silver's (Chesterfield, Mo.) double to left center. Returning to the top of the order, senior outfielder Leanne Bowers (Arnold, Mo.) was credited with her 22nd RBI of the season on her groundout to first base that drove White across the plate. Missouri's game-tying run came across on sophomore shortstop Andee Allen's (Windsor, Mo.) single to left field.
The Sun Devils regained the lead and earned their 23rd win of the season on center fielder Kaitlin Cochran's two run home run in the bottom of the seventh.
The Tigers combined for 10 hits in the game, Missouri's ninth game of the season that saw the Tigers reach double digit figures.
Missouri will return to Farrington Field Saturday, March 10 at 3:30 p.m. (CT) in the Tiger's second game of the tournament against 11th-ranked Washington.