March 12, 2008
Wichita, Kan. - The Missouri softball team (21-6) won its second game of the 2008 campaign against Wichita State (18-9), finishing game one of the doubleheader, 3-2, at Wilkins Stadium. The Tigers came from behind for the 11th time of the season to win the game, taking the one run lead on freshman Kathryn Poet's (Tujunga, Calif.) two run home run in the top of the sixth inning.
Leadoff batter Rhea Taylor (Buford, Ga.) broke up Shocker Ashly Bright's no-hitter in the top of the fourth with a triple to left field. Taylor scored on sophomore left fielder Julie Silver's (Chesterfield, Mo.) single up the middle, bringing Missouri even with Wichita State for the first time of the game. Back-to-back outs brought designated player Jen Bruck (St. Peters, Mo.) to the plate. The Tiger senior singled and advanced to second when Poet reached base on balls. The inning came to an end on junior Andee Allen's (Barnhart, Mo.) groundout to shortstop, leaving three Tigers on base. Missouri left four runners on base and three in scoring position in game one of the doubleheader.
Wichita State took a one run lead in the bottom of the first inning. Leadoff hitter Katie McGeeney doubled and scored on Cynthia Verhulst's single up the middle. The Shockers regained their lead in the fifth frame with nine-hole hitter Kiersten Dixon reaching base on balls, stealing second, advancing to third on a groundout and scoring on the squeeze play.
Missouri took its first lead of the game on Poet's two out, two run home run deep over the centerfield wall. Poet's home run marked the second time in three games that the pulled out the win by way of home run. The yard ball was Poet's fourth homer of the season and marked the second straight game in which she hit a home run.
Junior pitcher Stacy Delaney (Freeland, Mich.) struck out four Shockers and improved to 10-2 on the season after throwing 6.1 innings and allowing only two runs on three hits. Sophomore Jana Hainey, a lefty from Raymore, Mo., entered the game with the tying run on second base. Hainey closed out the inning by striking out McGeeney and forcing a groundout.
Game two between the Tigers and Shockers is slated to begin at 4:30 p.m. (CT).