March 21, 2008
COLUMBIA, Mo. - The University of Missouri softball team scored seven runs in the first inning, including four off a Kathryn Poet (Tujunga, Calif.) grand slam, to propel the Tigers to a 9-1 rune rule win over Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Conference opener at University field on Friday night. Mizzou improves its record to 29-7 overall and 1-0 in conference action while Oklahoma State falls to 14-15 and 0-1.
After Tigers Rhea Taylor (Buford, Ga.), Julie Silver (Chesterfield, Mo.) and Jen Bruck (St. Peter's, Mo.) loaded the bases on two hits and a walk, respectively, Lindsey Ubrun (Riverside, Calif.) hit a RBI single to give the Missouri a quick 1-0 lead with one out in the bottom of the first. The bases remained loaded for Poet who promptly smacked a grand slam over the left center field wall for her fifth homer of the year and a 5-0 Tiger advantage.
Mizzou added two more runs in the inning off an RBI single by Abby Vock (Morrison, Ill.), an RBI groundout by Taylor and to score Andee Allen (Barnhart, Mo.) and Shana White (Columbia, Mo.), who both walked.
Up 7-1 entering the bottom of the fifth, White beat out a one-out single to the pitcher with Allen on first to give Missouri runners on first and second with one out. Vock stepped up to the plate and smashed a liner down the right field line for a two-RBI double to give Mizzou 9-1 run rule win over the Cowgirls.
Bruck picked up her eighth win of the year as she surrendered just three hits and recorded four strikeouts.
Seven different Tigers posted a hit in the contest as Mizzou had eight on the night.
Missouri completes its two-game series with Oklahoma State at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 22 at University Field.