March 22, 2008
Columbia, Mo. - The Missouri Softball team (30-7) moved to 2-0 in Big 12 Conference play as it topped Oklahoma State (14-16) 3-0 Saturday at University Field. Tiger junior Stacy Delaney (Freeland, Mich.), in her first Big 12 start, pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing only one hit while striking out eight Cowgirl batters to help the Tigers to their 23rd win in the last 24 games.
Delaney gave up a hit to cowgirl designated player Megan Castle in the second inning, but was nearly flawless from there.
The Tiger bats picked up Delaney in the bottom of the third inning. After a single by Julie Silver (Chesterfield, Mo.) and a walk by Jen Bruck (St. Peters, Mo.), Amanda Renth (Mascoutah, Ill.) came to the plate with runners on second and third, giving the Tigers their first real shot at scoring a run. Renth slugged a single up the middle, bringing both runners home and giving the Tigers the first lead of the day at 2-0. The two RBI move Renth's season total to 26, third behind Bruck and Lindsey Ubrun (Riverside, Calif.).
The Tigers added a run in the fourth inning. Tiger speedster Rhea Taylor (Buford, Ga.) slapped a sacrifice fly into right field bringing home Shana White (Columbia, Mo.), bringing the score to 3-0. White pinch ran for Tiger catcher Megan Christopher (Wright City, Mo.) who had singled up the middle. The RBI was Taylor's 10th on the season.
That was all the run support that Delaney would need as she mowed through the Oklahoma State lineup. Delaney faced 24 batters during the game, just three over the minimum for a game, 21. The seven scoreless innings gives Delaney her 16th complete game of the season and her sixth shutout. She also improved her team leading ERA to 1.30.
Delaney and the Tigers will return to action on Tuesday as they begin a four-game Texas road trip, starting at Texas-San Antonio at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday. After the two-day series, the Tigers will be in College Station, Texas to take on Big 12 rival Texas A&M on March 39 and 30. Stay tuned to www.mutigers.com for all the latest on Tiger athletics.