April 11, 2008

After finishing off the last non-conference opponent of the regular season with two wins against Saint Louis University, the Tigers head back to Big 12 play for a home series against the Texas Tech Red Raiders. The two-game begins Saturday, April 12 at 2 p.m. (CST) on University Field with the second game slated to begin at noon on Sunday. The Tigers are 35-12 on the season, and earned a 10-4 win over the Red Raiders earlier this year in the Lobo Invitational in Albuquerque, N.M..

The weekend series with Texas Tech marks Little League Weekend, an event for all Little League and 14-under squads. The Little League, or 14-and-under Travel Team, that brings the most players to the games will win a free hitting clinic with Tiger Head Coach Ehren Earleywine. In addition, the winning squad will have the chance to take the field for the National Anthem in Missouri's Saturday, April 26 game against Baylor.

Teams that attend BOTH games (April 12 and 13) will count twice!!

Teams planning to attend either or both games need to fill out an unofficial visit form and fax (573-884-8885) or email (soderk@missouri.edu) the form to Keith Soder of the Missouri Marketing Department no later than Friday, April 11 at 5 p.m. (CST).

Freshman Rhea Taylor (Buford, Ga.) enters the series leading the nation in steals, making it safely in 42-of-45 attempts on the season. The centerfielder also leads the team averaging .380 at the plate with 60 hits. She also has six hits and a .375 batting average in conference play.

Missouri brings a 2-0 home record in conference play into the weekend. The Tigers own a 2-4 record overall in the Big 12, with the two wins coming against Oklahoma State, March 21 and 22.

Junior pitcher Stacy Delaney (Freeland, Mich.) enters the weekend coming off a two hit complete game shutout against Saint Louis. She leads the team with an ERA of 1.41 and a record of 15-3. Delaney has a 1-0 record in conference play.

The Red Raiders will enter the series after dropping two games in Norman against the fifth-ranked Oklahoma Sooners, Missouri's last conference opponent. Texas Tech enters the series against the Sooners on a four game win streak.

Missouri will remain at home for a midweek double header against the Kansas Jayhawks on April 16.