Sept. 27, 2008
Columbia, Mo. - The Missouri softball team blanked North Central Missouri College, 15-0, in seven innings in its first game of the fall season. Taking on the Lady Pirates on University Field, Tiger freshman Chelsea Thomas (Pleasantville, Iowa) and junior Jana Hainey (Raymore, Mo.) combined for a one hitter, with Thomas collecting the win.
Thomas hurled four innings of action, striking out 10 of the 14 batters she faced while allowing only two walks. Hainey entered the game in the fifth frame, giving up one hit, a single to leadoff batter Claire Lorenz, in the top of the sixth.
Sophomore leftfielder Kathryn Poet (Tujunga, Calif.) recorded a perfect performance at the plate. Batting in the five hole, Poet was 5-for-5 with four RBI and two runs scored. Of Poet's five hits, two were doubles, the first a two run shot to left field. In her first at bat of the day, Poet managed a one run single through the left side, stealing second where she remained through the end of the inning. Poet's last at bat drove in junior catcher Katie Milles (St. Louis, Mo.) from third base for the 15th and final run of the game.
Missouri's leadoff batter, sophomore Rhea Taylor (Buford, Ga.), finished the day 3-for-5 at the plate and opened the game with a single to shortstop. The league's stolen base leader was held to only one bag in game one. Named the 2008 Big 12 Freshman of the Year, Taylor stole second in her first at bat, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on senior second baseman Andee Allen's (Barnhart, Mo.) single to right field.
Milles also had a strong showing at the plate, going 3-for-5 as the Tiger's cleanup hitter. Milles ripped a double to center field in the bottom of the third inning and knocked a two-run triple to left center in the seventh.
The Tigers combined for 18 hits in the game and played an error-free seven innings.
Missouri and instate opponent Meramec are set to begin play at 2:05 p.m. (CT) on University Field.