March 31, 2007
COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Missouri softball team (26-17, 2-0) hacked away at ninth-ranked Texas' (26-8, 2-2) four run lead to take the 6-4 win in a rain-delayed night game on University Field. Tiger pitcher Jen Bruck (St. Peters, Mo.), now 10-4 in her junior campaign, struck out a season high eight batters in her fifth complete game of the season. The win puts Missouri up one game in the all-time series, 6-5, and marks the Tigers second win over a ranked opponent this season.
Down four runs entering the bottom of the fourth, Missouri's bats came alive against Texas ace Megan Denny. The Longhorn, who entered the game with a 1.22 ERA and 17-6 record, gave up six runs on four hits in the inning and was relieved by Erin Tresselt who gave up two hits before forcing the final groundout. Fighting 38 mile per hour (MPH) wind gusts, redshirt junior Micaela Minner (Sanger, Texas) led off the inning with a single up the middle and took second after Bruck was awarded base on balls. Two-for-three on the day, senior catcher Kathy Masterson (St. Louis, Mo.) loaded the bases with her single to right field bringing senior Alli Kennewell (Eden Prairie, Minn.) to the plate for the second time of the game. Reaching first on a botched fielders choice, Minner advanced home for Missouri's first run of the game. Freshman outfielder Julie Silver (Chesterfield, Mo.) finished the night 1-for-3 with a two RBI double. Silver's knock to left field drove in Masterson and Bruck. Returning to the top of the order, senior outfielder Leanne Bowers, who opened the game with a single and followed with a double, stuck out bringing shortstop Andee Allen (Windsor, Mo.) back to the dish. Doubling to left center, her seventh double of the season, Alllen sent both Kennewell and Silver racing for home. Missouri's sixth and final run of the game came on junior first baseman Amanda Renth's (Mascoutah, Ill.) RBI single up the middle sending Allen home from second. Cycling through the lineup, cleanup hitter Minner came up with a single but was stranded at first on a groundout by senior second baseman Sarah Stringer (Auxvasse, Mo.).
"It was great to see this team battle back against such a strong opponent," Head Coach Ehren Earleywine said. "Megan (Denny) is a very strong pitcher and for us to get seven hits off of her is an accomplishment. I was pleased with the way the team came back and also fought hard in the field."
Missouri's 2-0 start in conference play is its fourth in five seasons.
The Tigers and Longhorns will continue the series tomorrow at 1 p.m. (CT) on University Field.