May 16, 2009
The Missouri bats came alive today in their first game of the NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional. Home runs from Gina Schneider and Kathryn Poet helped lift the Tigers to a 5-1 victory over Illinois. The teams began play today in the bottom of the first inning as a continuation of last night's cancellation due to inclement weather.
Before last night's rain, however, the Illini managed to put up a one-run lead on Missouri starter Chelsea Thomas. Hollie Pinchback singled to bring home Hope Howell and put Illinois in front shortly before the downpour. When play resumed this morning, Thomas ended up getting the run support she needed to seal the victory. Rhea Taylor singled to open the game for the Tiger offense, stole second, and made a risky run home after a Marla Schweisberger pop to shallow left field to pull Missouri even with Illinois 1-1. In the second, Gina Schneider continued to show off her power and got a hold of a Monica Perry pitch for her seventh home run of the season, a two-run shot to left field that brought home Taylor.
In the fifth inning, the Tigers managed to push their lead to 5-1. Shana White came in to pinch run after pinch hitter Julie Silver was hit by pitch and quickly stole second. Kathryn Poet would bring White home during the next at-bat with a screamer over the left field wall, her first home run of the season. Poet finished 1-for-3 at the plate with two RBI and a run scored. Rhea Taylor enjoyed a solid outing in the leadoff spot, finishing 2-for-4 and scoring the first two Tiger runs. For the Illini, Pinchback finished 2-for-3 at the plate while also recording the only Illinois RBI. Kelley Wedell proved to be a handful for Thomas, finishing 2-for-2 and also drawing a walk.
Thomas earned her 14th victory of the season while giving up six hits, striking out three, and completing the game. Missouri will face Bradley immediately following the game, which will then be followed by Illinois against DePaul later today.