April 7, 2007
Stillwater, Okla. -The Missouri softball team (29-17, 5-0) stretched its win streak to seven straight after defeating Oklahoma State (24-22, 2-5), 6-1, at Cowgirl Stadium. The win gives the Tigers a 5-0 record in Big 12 play, something last accomplished in 2004. Missouri's longest Big 12 win streak was recorded in 1997 at eight straight.
Scoring two runs on two hits in the top of the first frame, senior outfielder Leanne Bowers (Arnold, Mo.) led off the game by reaching base on balls for the eighth time of the season. After Bowers successfully stole second, sophomore Andee Allen (Windsor, Mo.) was awarded first after being hit by OSU starting pitcher Anna Whiddon. Both Tiger runners advanced on a wild pitch and Bowers scored Missouri's first run of the day on a sacrifice fly to right field by junior Amanda Renth (Mascoutah, Ill.). Allen advanced home on cleanup hitter Micaela Minner's (Sanger, Texas) single up the middle. Minner's base hit snapped a two-game streak in which the Tiger outfielder failed to reach base.
The Cowgirls cut Missouri's lead in half in the bottom of the third inning, but Minner and pitcher junior Jen Bruck (St. Peters, Mo.) were able to hold the OSU offense to only one run. Minner's diving save in left field and Bruck's fourth strike out of the game sent the Cowgirls back to the field for the start of the fourth.
Missouri forced two Oklahoma State pitching changes on the day and managed four runs off nine hits against the OSU relievers.
Back in the circle after having thrown a complete game against the Cowgirls on Saturday, Bruck hurled five innings and struck out eight for her 13th win of the campaign. Freshman Jana Hainey (Raymore, Mo.) entered the game in the sixth and sat down two of the four batters she faced. Closing out the game for Missouri, sophomore Megan Dennis (Liberty, Mo.) entered in the seventh and forced two groundouts and a strikeout looking.
Of note: Bowers set a personal career high with her 22 stolen bases on the season. Her previous high of 21 was set her freshman season in 2004.
Missouri will host Midwest Ford Border Showdown opponent Kansas in a single game Wednesday, April 11, beginning at 6 p.m. (CT) on University Field. The Tigers lead Kansas, 13-12 in the annual competition.