Missouri
Saint Louis
Tiger Softball Team Tops In State Rival SLU
2/21/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 21, 2007
Columbia, Mo. -The Missouri softball team improved to 7-6 on the season after besting in state opponent St. Louis University (SLU), 15-4, in the first of two night games played in the Dan Devine Pavilion. Freshman pitcher Jana Hainey (Raymore, Mo.) was credited with her second win of the season (2-4), striking out four Biliken batters in four innings from the circle. Hainey gave up only two earned runs on four hits before being relieved by sophomore Megan Dennis (Liberty, Mo.) in the top of the fifth.
With the help of redshirt junior Micaela Minner's (Sanger, Texas) record-setting home run to right center, the Tigers jumped to an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Earlier in the inning, junior Amanda Renth (Mascoutah, Ill.) reached first on a fielder's choice, while designated player Jen Bruck (St. Peters, Mo.) was awarded a base after being hit by pitch in the next Tiger at bat. Minner took Biliken righty Ashley Levan's two out first pitch to the Pavilion right center wall setting the new school home run record at 27. The crush was Minner's first of the season and helped her ahead of former Tiger great Mary Babb's previous career home run high set between 1994 and 1997.
SLU designated player Kinsley Kelly brought the Bilikens within one run, powering a triple to centerfield to drive in Christy Ernst from second base.
Missouri's potent offense forced SLU Head Coach John Conway to his bullpen twice during the bottom of the fourth inning. Scoring 12 runs, nine unearned, on six hits, Missouri took the 15-2 lead and never took another turn at the plate. SLU's pitchers walked seven batters and Missouri left five runners on base. The Tiger's combined for five extra base hits including doubles by redshirt freshman Katie Milles (St. Louis, Mo.) Bruck and senior Kathy Masterson (St. Louis, Mo.).
The win by run rule is Missouri's third, of three, home games won by run rule this season.
Dennis gave up two runs, both unearned, on one hit in the final inning of play, allowing leadoff batter Rachel Heet a single down the left field line.
The Tigers will play game two of the doubleheader beginning at 9 p.m. (CT).
