May 18, 2007
Carbondale, Ill. -The second-seeded Missouri softball team (39-22) run-ruled third-seeded host Southern Illinois (40-14), 8-0, in five innings in their first game of the NCAA Softball Regional at Charlotte West Stadium in Carbondale, Ill. With DePaul's 10-0 run rule of Mississippi Valley State in the first game of the double elimination tournament, the 19th-ranked Tigers will take on the 14th-ranked Blue Demons Saturday, May 19, at Noon.
Missouri's 11th NCAA Regional Softball Tournament appearance, their fourth in five seasons, marked the Tigers' second opening game in three years against Southern Illinois and first regional game opening win since 1994. Tiger ace Jen Bruck improved to 21-9 on the season, winning her first NCAA Regional game while throwing her 13th complete game and sixth solo shutout of the campaign.
Held hitless by senior ace Cassidy Scoggins in their regular season meeting March 21, the Tigers managed three runs on three hits off of the righty in the bottom of the first frame of NCAA Regional play. Taking the lead and forcing SIU Head Coach Kerry Blaylock to turn to her bullpen, senior Ashley Hamby entered the game after Scoggins threw two-thirds of an inning and suffered only her 10th loss of the year.
Walking senior leadoff batter Sarah Stringer (Auxvasse, Mo.) in four pitches, All-Big 12 honoree Julie Silver (Chesterfield, Mo.) laid down a sacrifice bunt advancing Stringer to second base in the first inning. Missouri connected for three consecutive hits, the first an RBI single up the middle by pitcher Jen Bruck (St. Peters, Mo.). Redshirt junior Micaela Minner (Sanger, Texas) followed with an RBI double to deep centerfield, a hit that came within inches of going down as a home run. Shortstop Andee Allen (Windsor, Mo.) was next to the plate, managing a full count single up the middle to drive in Minner.
Missouri outfielder Leanne Bowers (Arnold, Mo.) scored the Tigers' sole run in the bottom of the second inning. Leading off with a single, Bowers stole second and advanced to third on a fielding error by SIU second baseman Alicia Garza. Returning to the top of the order, Stringer singled through the right side on a 2-1 count sending Bowers home from third.
Scoring four runs on four hits in the final inning of play, Bruck led off with a home run over the center field fence. Bruck finished the day 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs and two RBI. Stringer came up with Missouri's game winning hit, a two run double to center field. Stringer went 2-for-2 with one run and three RBI.
Earlier in the afternoon, DePaul, seeded 14th nationally and No. 1 in the Carbondale Regional, run-ruled Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Champions Mississippi Valley State, 10-0 in six innings. With a six run lead entering the bottom of the inning, Sandy Vojik hit a grand slam over the left field fence for the Blue Demon win.