March 11, 2009

Box Score |  Photo Gallery 

Columbia, Mo. - Redshirt junior Gina Schneider (Liberty, Mo.) came up with the game-winning two run single to break the scoreless tie with Northern Iowa in the fifth and give the No. 14 Missouri softball team its 19th win of the season, 2-1. Holding the Panthers to one run, freshman Chelsea Thomas was credited with the win and improves to 9-2 on the year. As a team, the Tigers stand at 19-3 on the year while Northern Iowa falls to 14-5.

Batting cleanup, Schneider made her way to the plate in the bottom of the fifth with runners on second and third and two outs on the board. The right fielder, who averages .409 on the year, took the pitch from Panther Melissa Tillett and knocked the ball to centerfield allowing teammates Rhea Taylor (Buford, Ga.) and Shana White (Columbia, Mo.) time to score.

"We looked flat today as a team," Missouri Head Coach Ehren Earleywine said. "With as good of a team as Northern Iowa was, we were lucky to get out with a one run win. Gina did a great job for us this afternoon. She's really improved."

Missouri was held to only three hits. Taylor, White and Schneider all scattered singles throughout the course of the game. Thomas, who owns a 0.80 ERA this season, tied her single season high with eight strike outs, but allowed the Panthers eight hits.

The Tigers will make their last regular season tournament appearance beginning Friday, March 13 at 3 p.m. (CT) against Coastal Carolina. The Coastal Carolina Tournament held in Myrtle Beach, S.C., features teams from Coastal Carolina, Michigan State and North Carolina.