Feb. 29, 2008
Columbia, Mo. -Improving to 12-6 on the season, the Missouri softball team recorded back-to-back wins over South Dakota State University and Boston University in day one of the Tiger Invitational played in Dan Devine Pavilion. Earning an 8-3 win over South Dakota State in game one, the Tigers returned to the field and managed a 3-0 shutout over the Terriers of BU. With the wins, the Tigers have now tied their longest win streak of the season at four games.
At the end of the day, five Missouri batters averaged .400 or better, with freshman leadoff hitter Rhea Taylor (Buford, Ga.) averaging .778. The outfielder was 7-for-9 at the plate and scored four of Missouri's 11 runs. In game two against Boston University, Taylor was 5-for-5 and scored three runs.
Two Tigers, senior first baseman Amanda Renth (Mascoutah, Ill.) and freshman outfielder Kathryn Poet (Tujunga, Calif.) hit home runs on the evening. Renth and Poet both crushed yard balls in the first game against the Jackrabbits. Batting from the nine hole, Poet hit a solo shot in the top of the second frame to left field while Renth, batting cleanup, hit a two run homer in the fourth. Renth's home run, her third of the season and 26th of her career pushed across the final two Tiger runs of the game.
Altogether, Missouri notched 20 hits on the night and scored 11 runs. Missouri's 15 hits against South Dakota State was a season high and marked the first time in 45 games that the Tigers recorded 15 or more hits in a game.
Lefty Jana Hainey (Raymore, Mo.) was credited with her fifth win of the season and fifth complete game after holding the Jackrabbits to only two earned runs. Entering the season Hainey had only thrown two complete games in her career. Junior Stacy Delaney (Freeland, Mich.) collected her fifth win of the year after striking out 14 Terriers in seven innings from the circle. In Delaney's last four appearances, the right-handed pitcher has struck out 28 batters in 16 innings and allowed only two runs. Hainey's 14 strikeouts was a season high for the Tiger. Her previous high of eight was set Feb. 9 against Texas Arlington.
South Dakota State and Boston University will meet in game three of the tournament. Missouri will resume action Saturday, March 1 at 1 p.m. (CT) against South Dakota State. Game location is to be determined.