Oct. 15, 2009
Columbia, Mo. - The Missouri softball team improved to 6-0 in the fall after blanking both Meramec and Jefferson County Community College, 12-0. Sophomore pitcher Kristin Nottelmann (Fenton, Mo.) earned the win over Meramec, striking out nine batters in five innings of work. Fellow sophomore, Chelsea Thomas (Pleasantville, Iowa), was awarded the win over Jefferson County, striking out 10 of the 15 batters she faced through five innings. Between the two games, Missouri's pitching staff struck out 25 batters and held their opponents to a mere two hits. Offensively, the Tigers combined for a falll-high 17 hits off of Meramec and 14 against Jefferson County Community College.
Nottelmann, after throwing five innings against Meramec, was relieved by newcomer Lindsey Muller (Stilwell, Kan.). The duo hurled Missouri's third no hitter of the fall. Nottelmann is 3-0 this fall and owns a 0.60 ERA. Thomas, also 3-0 in the fall, has notched a 0.00 ERA, struck out 29 batters in 15 innings of play and allowed only three hits.
Junior catcher Megan Christopher (Wright City, Mo.) crushed a fifth inning, two out grand slam off of Meramec's pitcher. The bases loaded knock drove in Missouri's final four runs of the game and gave Christopher a squad-high five RBI on the day. One of two Missouri players to hit a home run on the afternoon, sophomore centerfielder Ashley Fleming (Silex, Mo.) blasted a three run homer in the fifth inning against Jefferson County Community College. Through two games, the Tigers managed nine extra base hits. Junior Kathryn Poet (Tujunga, Calif.) recorded two triples, the first coming in the third inning against Meramec, the second in her next at bat, a leadoff triple in the fourth. Poet is one of 13 Missouri players batting above .300 in fall games. Nicole Hudson (Webb City, Mo.) who has played in five of the Tiger's six games this fall, is averaging .688 and owns a 1.813 slugging percentage, the highest slugging percentage of her teammates.
The Tigers are set to close out the fall portion of their schedule, Saturday, Oct. 17 with their fourth weekend doubleheader of the fall. Missouri takes on Crowder Community College beginning at Noon and Three Rivers College at 2 p.m. (CT) on University Field. Both games are free and open to the public.