April 10, 2009
Stillwater, Okla.- Despite being held to only five hits, the 10th-ranked Missouri softball team (.35-5, 7-2) moved to No. 1 in the Big 12 standings after holding off Oklahoma State (28-13), 5-3, at Cowgirl Stadium in Stillwater, Okla. With Texas' early evening loss to Nebraska, 2-1, in Lincoln, Missouri took the lead in the competitive conference. OSU's loss, its first at home this season, drops the Cowgirls to 4-5 in Big 12 games.
Senior go-to pitcher Stacy Delaney (Freeland, Mich.) was credited with the victory, while freshman Kristen Nottelmann (Fenton, Mo.) was awarded the save, her second of the season. The duo combined to strike out eight batters for Missouri's seventh Big 12 win of the campaign. Delaney now stands at 10-2 on the year and 4-1 in league games.
Missouri held a 4-1 advantage heading into the bottom of the second inning. Marla Schweisberger (Raytown, Mo.) and Lindsey Ubrun (Riverside, Calif.) each powered two run home runs lifting the Tigers ahead of the Cowgirls. Schweisberger was first to drive in a Missouri run, scoring second baseman Andee Allen from second with her homer to centerfield in the top of the first. Ubrun scored two with her hard hit yard ball over the left field wall in the top of the second.
Oklahoma State put up one run in the first, but Delaney was able to bring the inning to a close without any further damage on a bases loaded strikeout. The Tiger righty finished the game with seven strikeouts in four innings.
The Cowgirls managed two runs on four hits and one Missouri error in the bottom of the second pulling within one run of Missouri.
Scoreless in the third and fourth, Missouri answered offensively, tacking on a run in the top of the fifth on a bases loaded walk. OSU pitcher Anna Whiddon loaded the bags forcing Head Coach Rich Wieligman to go to his bullpen with two outs on the board. Sarah Odom entered in relief and walked Ubrun allowing pinch runner Meredith Nash (Peculiar, Mo.) to score from third.
As the game wore on, Missouri's defense came together, turning two double plays throughout the course of the night. In addition, Delaney and Nottelmann held OSU's to only three hits in the final five innings of play.
Saturday's game against Oklahoma State, beginning at 3:30 p.m. (CT), will be televised live on the Fox Sports Network. Tracy Warren and Brent Stover will call the action for Missouri's first televised game of the campaign. Fans unable to attend the afternoon game at Cowgirl Stadium are encouraged to check their local listings for Fox Sports.