Missouri
#11 Washington
Tigers Win In Extra Innings over No. 11 Washington
3/9/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 9, 2007
Tempe, Ariz. - Heading into extra innings for the first time of the 2007 campaign, the Missouri softball team took a 10-8 victory over 11th-ranked Washington in their first game of the Pac 10/Big 12 Challenge held in Farrington Stadium on the campus of Arizona State. With the help of senior catcher Kathy Masterson's (St. Louis, Mo.) two out grand slam in the bottom of the 10th, the Tigers improved to 17-9 on the season and recorded their first win of 2007 over a ranked opponent.
The Huskies held a three run advantage entering the bottom of the seventh, but the Tigers were able to rally and send the game into extra innings after scoring three runs on four hits in what could have been their last chance at the plate.
Sophomore shortstop Andee Allen (Barnhart, Mo.) led off the inning but was unable to connect on a pitch from Caitlin Noble and returned to the bench after striking out. Next at the plate, junior first baseman Amanda Renth (Mascoutah, Ill.) singled up the middle, scoring on redshirt junior Micaela Minner's (Sanger, Texas) double down the left field line. Missouri's big-hitter from Wednesday's doubleheader against Wichita State, senior Sarah Stringer (Auxvasse, Mo.), came up with Missouri's fourth hit of the game, a single to second base that sent Minner to third. With runners on second and third, Stringer stole second, Masterson ripped her fourth double of the season to drive in the game-tying runs. The inning came to a close on back-to-back groundouts.
Both teams scored one run in the eighth inning with the international tie-breaker rule placed in effect. The Tigers matched each of Washington's runs with runs of their own, tying the game for the third time of the day in the bottom of the ninth (6-6).
Washington took its fourth lead of the game, 8-6, after scoring two runs in the top of the 10th but it was Missouri who pulled away with the win. To begin the inning, Allen was placed on second with pitcher Alicia Matthews entering the game in relief of Danielle Lawrie who hurled two innings after Noble. Renth, intentionally walked for the seventh time of the season, was awarded first and senior Amanda Jo White (Tallmadge, Ohio) entered the game to pinch run for Tiger first baseman. Minner took base on balls loading the bags for Stringer. Stinger popped up to the pitcher for the second out of the game, bringing up Masterson who crushed her first career grand slam to put the Tigers on top, 10-8.
Masterson finished the day 2-for-4 with six RBI. Not only did the St. Louis native win the game for Missouri, she was able to help keep the Tigers alive with her seventh inning heroics.
Missouri freshman Jana Hainey (Raymore, Mo.) was credited with her fourth win of the season after throwing seven innings and striking out a season high 10 batters. Hainey, who allowed only four earned runs on eight hits, relieved junior Jen Bruck (St. Peters, Mo.) who twirled the first three innings of action.
The Tigers will play their second game of the Pac 10/Big 12 Challenge at approximately 7:45 p.m. (CT) against host school Arizona State.
