May 23, 2008
Columbia, Mo.-Playing in its first game of its first NCAA Super Regional Tournament, the Missouri softball team (47-16) suffered a 6-1 loss to third-ranked Alabama (55-6) in front of 1,953 fans at the Alabama Softball Complex in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The Tide put up five runs in the third to take the lead and held Missouri to only two hits. Junior pitcher Stacy Delaney (Freeland, Mich.) was strapped with the loss, her first since March 19. Delaney falls to 20-4 on the campaign.
Alabama leadoff hitter Brittany Rogers broke up a two inning scoreless game, advancing home in the bottom of the third on leftfielder Jordan Praytor's hard hit single to right center. Rogers led off the inning with a slap single to shortstop, stole second and scored on the base knock. Rogers' was the first of five Tide players to score in the inning, doing so on five hits including designated player Lauren Parker's two out, two run home run.
The Tide tacked on one run in the bottom of the fourth when Rogers advanced home from second on Praytor's sacrifice fly to right field.
Freshman shortstop Abby Vock (Morrison, Ill.) broke up Alabama pitcher Kelsi Dunne's four inning no hitter with a two out single up the middle but was left on base on rightfielder Shana White's (Colulmbia, Mo.) fly ball to right field.
Missouri attempted a rally in the top of the seventh, scoring one run on a bases loaded full count walk. Leading off the inning, first baseman Amanda Renth (Mascoutah, Ill.) reached base on balls, sending freshman Lisa Simmons (Boonville, Mo.) in to pinch run at first. Simmons advanced to second on junior Lindsey Ubrun's (Riverside, Calif,) chopper down the left field line and both runners advanced when senior Jen Bruck (St. Peters, Mo.) reached base on balls. Taking her third turn at the dish, Vock was struck out swinging bringing in pinch hitting freshman Marla Schweisberger (Rayton, Mo.). Schweisberger took four balls to reach base allowing Simmons to walk in from third. With two outs on the board, pinch hitter Meredith Nash (Peculiar, Mo.) proved Missouri's last out of the game and was forced back to the bench swinging.
Right handed Delaney hurled her way out of a bases loaded situation in the bottom of the first inning. After giving up a single to Rogers, the outfielder was caught stealing second for the first out of the frame and only the sixth time of the season. A bunt single followed by a botched fielder's choice put runners on first and second and a walk loaded the bases for shortstop Kellie Eubanks. Eubanks took a 1-2 pitch looking to end the inning and give the Tigers another turn at the plate.
Delaney threw five innings and was relieved by left-handed sophomore Jana Hainey (Raymore, Mo.) in the bottom of the sixth. In four innings, Delaney forced three stike outs but allowed six earned runs on 10 hits. Hainey tossed the final two innings of action allowing only one hit and not walking any of the eight batters she faced.
Missouri and Alabama will meet in game two set for a 2 p.m. (CT) first pitch at the Alabama Softball Complex. If Missouri wins game two, the two teams will play the "if necessary" game slated for a 4:30 p.m. (CT) start.