May 5, 2007

Box Score |  Photo Gallery  | Watch 

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Two-run home runs by seniors Kathy Masterson (St. Louis, Mo.) and Sarah Stringer (Auxvasse, Mo.) helped the No. 18 Missouri softball team (37-20, 13-3) to a 5-0 victory over Big 12 opponent Nebraska (36-20, 9-8) in front of 827 fans at University Field. One win away from a Big 12 title, the Tigers will wrap regular season play in game two of the series with the Huskers, Sunday, May 6, at 1 p.m. (CT). Should the Tigers sweep Nebraska, Missouri will be assured at least a share of the Big 12 title. Baylor, who stands tied with Missouri at 13-3 in league games, is playing No. 6 Texas A&M at 4 p.m. (CT) in Waco, Texas.

Junior pitcher Jen Bruck (St. Peters, Mo.) was credited with the win and improves to 18-6 on the season, while freshman lefty Jana Hainey (Raymore, Mo.) collected her third save of the campaign. Hainey has now successfully thrown 24 complete innings in the Big 12, struck out 18 batters and has yet to allow an earned run. Hainey's perfect Big 12 ERA of 0.00 remains in tact while Bruck improves to 1.36 in conference with four solo shutouts and one combined (today's win with Hainey).

The Tigers scored their first run of the game when Husker pitcher Ashley DeBuhr hit senior Alli Kennewell with the bases loaded. As Kennewell walked her way to first, sophomore Andee Allen (Windsor, Mo.) advanced home for run number one.

Allen scored two of Missouri's five runs, advancing home on Masterson's third home run of the season. Both home runs, Masterson's and Stringer's sixth inning knock, were sent over the wall in right center. Stringer, who entered the season having failed to hit a single home run has now blasted four on the year.

Five Tigers combined for seven hits with both Allen and Masterson finishing the day 2-for-3 at the plate.

Fans planning to attend the Tigers final regular season game against Nebraska might consider arriving early as the University of Missouri will recognize its six graduating seniors from the 2007 softball class.