April 26, 2008
Columbia, Mo.-Stringing together nine hits, the Missouri softball team bested the 2007 Big 12 Champion Baylor Bears, 8-2 on University Field, improving to 43-13 on the season and 10-5 in league play. Senior Jen Bruck (St. Peters, Mo.) recorded the win and moves to 16-7 on the year. The win gives the Tigers a 22-1 record at home.
Junior Andee Allen (Barnhart, Mo.) erased Baylor's first frame one run lead with her second inning, two run home run over the wall in centerfield. Her fourth career yard ball, Allen's hit off of Baylor starting pitcher Shaina Brock was the second of four that the righty allowed in only two innings of work. The Bears were forced to their bullpen two additional times throughout the game, while Brock took the loss.
"Andee's home run this afternoon really sparked the team," Head Coach Ehren Earleywine said. "I thought the team really came out too somber to start the game. Her hit seemed to get the team going."
The bottom half of Missouri's lineup produced five of the days hits and scored four of the eight runs. Following Allen at the plate in the bottom of the second, freshman Kathryn Poet (Tujunga, Calif.) singled through the right side and scored on shortstop Abby Vock's (Morrison, Ill.) standup double.
Moving into the third inning, Baylor's pitching staff awarded five Tigers base on balls with sophomore Julie Silver (Chesterfield, Mo.) scoring on a bases loaded walk. Missouri scored four runs on two hits, including pinch hitting sophomore Meredith Nash's (Peculiar, Mo.) single through the left side.
Missouri's defense came together and stranded eight Bears on base, while the Baylor pitching crew managed only one Tiger strikeout on the day.
The Tigers will close out the home portion of their schedule Sunday, April 27, beginning at Noon (CT) on University Field. All tickets are $2 and fans are encouraged to come early as the Tiger softball team recognizes and honors its two senior members, Bruck and senior Amanda Renth (Mascoutah, Ill.).
NOTE: The Missouri softball doubleheader against UMKC, originally rescheduled for Wednesday, April 30 has been cancelled.