April 10, 2008
St. Louis, Mo-Scattering 20 hits through two games, Missouri recorded back-to-back wins over its final non-conference opponent of the season, Saint Louis, 7-6 and 14-0 in five innings, in the doubleheader played at the Biliken Sports Center in St. Louis. The Tigers, now 35-12 on the season, combined for 10 extra base hits including five home runs, one of which was a game two grand slam by first baseman Amanda Renth (Mascoutah, Ill.).
In a game that saw four lead changes, two Tiger home runs and four Missouri errors, the Mizzou softball team pulled out a one run, 7-6, win over the Saint Louis Bilikens in game one of the doubleheader. Senior Jen Bruck (St. Peters, Mo.) moved from designated player to pitcher and threw 4.2 innings for the win, her 10th of the season. Bruck struck out five of the 16 batters she faced.
Bruck, along with senior teammate Renth, tagged home runs in game one. Renth scored Missouri's first run of the game with her first pitch crush over the right field fence in the top of the second inning. One of two runs scored in the frame, second baseman Andee Allen (Barnhart, Mo.) reached base on a one out double, stole third and scored on one of Saint Louis' three wild pitches recorded in the game.
Down one run entering the sixth, freshman shortstop Abby Vock (Morrison, Ill.) helped bring the Tigers even with the Bilikens by hitting her third triple of the season. The RBI knock drove in pinch runner Shana White (Columbia, Mo.) from second. White entered the game and ran for third baseman Meredith Nash (Peculiar, Mo.) who reached base on balls. White stole second in her first opportunity on the base path.
Bruck smashed the game-winning home run over the centerfield fence in the seventh inning with one out on the board. Her 14th homer of the season, Bruck now stands tied with junior Lindsey Ubrun (Riverside, Calif.) for most home runs on the year. The Tiger senior owns the Missouri career home run record at 47. Bruck returned to the circle for the bottom half of the frame and forced two groundouts and a strike out swinging to end the game.
Riding momentum into game two, the Tigers scored three runs on three hits in the first inning with sophomore Julie Silver (Chesterfield, Mo.) and Bruck recording back-to-back hits off of Saint Louis ace Lorena Floccari. Bruck's double to centerfield drove in Silver, while Allen's two out single up the middle pushed Bruck and pinch runner Michaele Vock (Morrison, Ill.) across the plate. Vock, stole second after entering the game for Renth, who reached base on balls.
With the bases loaded in the top of the second, Renth stepped up to the plate and hit a long ball deep over the center field fence. Renth's 11th home run of the season and fifth career grand slam, this marks the second straight year in which the Tiger has hit double-digit home runs. Floccari helped load the bases by walking Bruck and Abby Vock. Silver stood on second as Renth took her swing, reaching base earlier in the inning on a fielding error by Saint Louis' second baseman Rachel O'Connell.
Missouri junior Stacy Delaney (Freeland, Mich.) threw five strikeouts on her way to a win and 15-3 record. Allowing only two hits, the complete game shutout was Delaney's eighth of the season.
The Tigers will return home and host Big 12 opponent Texas Tech in a two game series beginning Saturday, April 12 at 2 p.m.