May 4, 2008
LINCOLN, Neb. - The Missouri softball team (44-14, 11-6) closed out its regular season on the road with a 9-4 win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers (22-27, 4-14) in Bowlin Stadium of Lincoln, Neb. Junior Stacy Delaney (Freeland, Mich.) was credited with the win (18-3) after throwing four innings, while senior Jen Bruck (St. Peters, Mo.) earned her second save of the season by hurling two complete frames.
Outfielder Rhea Taylor (Buford, Ga.) set the Big 12 single season stolen base record in her first trip around the bases. Leading off the game with a single to second base, Taylor slid into second for the 52nd stolen bag of her freshman campaign. A throwing error by Nebraska catcher Ashley Guile allowed Taylor to advance to third and the Big 12 leader in runs scored (60) advanced home on a passed ball for Missouri's first run of the day. Taylor entered the afternoon game tied with 2007 Oklahoma State graduate Shanel Scott for the Big 12 single season stolen base record of 51.
Missouri took a 3-0 lead before the end of the inning with sophomore Julie Silver (Chesterfield, Mo.) scoring on Bruck's double to right center and Bruck scoring on second baseman Andee Allen's (Barnhart, Mo.) single to right.
Senior Amanda Renth (Mascoutah, Ill.) hit a solo home run in the third setting the Missouri single season record at 18. Returning to the plate in the sixth inning, Renth reset the record at 19 after hitting a monster two run homer over the left field fence. Renth leads the conference with her 19 yard balls and improved on the previous Missouri record that was set in 2005 at 17 by Micaela Minner. To date, Renth has hit 42 home runs in her four year career and stands second in the Tiger career home run record book.
Taylor made her third appearance of the day at the dish and hit her first career home run, a three-run knock, over the right field fence. With the home run, Missouri jumped out to a 7-0 lead.
Nebraska stormed back in the fifth scoring three runs on three hits and two Missouri errors, but Missouri was able to hold onto its lead for the eventual win.
Missouri will begin postseason competition Saturday, May 10, at 11:30 a.m. (CT) when they take on sixth-seeded Texas Tech at the 13th annual Big 12 Softball Championships. The Tigers will play on the alternate field of ASA Hall of Fame Stadium.