Softball

No. 9 Tigers Roll No. 2 Tide, 9-0

Feb. 14, 2010

Box Score

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The No. 9 Missouri Tigers (2-1) took the rubber game of the three-game set with No. 2 Alabama (1-2) in impressive fashion, run-ruling the Crimson Tide by a 9-0 final in five innings.  This marks the first time an Alabama squad has been run-ruled at the Alabama Softball Complex, and the first time since 2002 that the Tide have been run-ruled by a non-conference opponent.

Junior Megan Christopher led the offensive attack for Mizzou, driving in four runs on a 2-3 day at the plate.

Sophomore Chelsea Thomas (2-0) went the distance for the second time this weekend, throwing five shutout innings in which she allowed just two hits and one walk and struck out 12 batters.

Missouri's offense got rolling right out of the gates, as their first three batters of the game reached base.  Junior Rhea Taylor singled and advanced to second on a throwing error, while freshman Jenna Marston drew a walk.  Freshman Nicole Hudson was hit by a pitch to load the bases with no outs, and two batters later Christopher ripped a double into the right centerfield gap to plate two.  A groundout by junior Marla Schweisberger scored the third run of the inning.

In the top of the fourth, the first seven Missouri batters reached base safely, as the Tigers pushed across five runs in the frame.  Senior Gina Schneider kicked things off with a leadoff double and advanced to third on Taylor's infield single.  Taylor then stole second and moved to third on Marston's RBI single, plating Schneider.  Hudson walked to load the bases, and following junior Catherine Lee's RBI walk to bring in another run, Christopher continued her red-hot start to the season by singling in her third and fourth RBI on the day to make it 7-0.  An RBI fielder's choice by sophomore Jaydee Young pushed the lead to 8-0.

The Tigers added another run in the top of the fifth.  Marston doubled with one out, and Hudson followed up with a line drive single into left field.  The Alabama left fielder bobbled the ball on the play, allowing Marston to score Mizzou's ninth run of the game.

Missouri will look to continue their strong start to the season next weekend, as they head to Tucson, Ariz., to take on No. 6/4 Arizona in another three-game set.  Stay tuned to mutigers.com throughout the week for more information.