May 16, 2010
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The No. 5 seed Missouri Tigers came up short in their attempt to become just the second team to win back-to-back Big 12 Championships, as they fell to No. 2 seed Oklahoma by a 9-0 score in the title game.
Kristin Nottelmann took the loss, dropping to 19-7 on the year. Ashley Fleming, Gina Schneider and Catherine Lee each had a hit for Mizzou.
Oklahoma took the early lead in the bottom of the first. A bloop single started the inning, while a walk to Amber Flores put runners on first and second with nobody out. After a strikeout, Lindsey Vandever hit a home run to straight away center field, giving the Sooners the 3-0 lead.
The Tigers had a golden opportunity to get right back into the game in the top of the second, but came up empty. Nicole Hudson reached on a fielding error to start the inning, while Michaele Vock followed with a walk. Two batters later, Megan Christopher drew a one out walk to load the bases. However, the Sooners worked out of the jam by getting a strikeout and a groundout to end the inning.
Missouri attempted to put together a two-out rally in the fourth, getting a walk by Christopher and a double by Schneider. However, Christopher was thrown out trying to score on the double, ending the inning and keeping the score at 3-0.
Oklahoma added some insurance in the bottom half of the fourth, extending their lead to 5-0. Haley Anderson doubled to start the frame, and after two straight pop outs, Krystle Huey singled for the third time in the game, putting runners on the corners. After Nottelmann fell behind in the count to Flores, she was intentionally walked to load the bases, setting up a two-run single by Jessica Schults.
The Sooners finished the game off with a four-run sixth. Huey tripled for her fourth hit of the game and scored on a groundout. Two two-out walks set up a three-run blast by Haley Nix to end the game.
Jana Hainey, Jenna Marston, Rhea Taylor and Ashley Fleming were selected to the All-Big 12 Tournament team. The Tigers tied Oklahoma for the most selections with four.
Missouri now looks toward the NCAA Regionals, as they wait to find out their seed and where they'll be playing next weekend. The NCAA Selection Show airs tonight on ESPNU at 9 p.m. CT.