No. 9 Missouri Topples UNI, 7-2

Wednesday, April 13

Cedar Falls, Iowa

3:00PM

Missouri

Northern Iowa

4/13/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball

April 13, 2011

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Backed by 13 hits from the offense and 14 strikeouts from the pitching staff, the No. 9 Missouri Tigers coasted to a 7-2 win over the Northern Iowa Panthers on Wednesday to improve to 33-5 on the season.

No. 9 Mizzou 7, Northern Iowa 2
Box Score

Time: 1:48

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	F
MIZZOU	0	1	3	0	3	0	0	7
UNI	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	2

Pitching	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
W - Thomas (18-3)	4.0	3	2	1	0	10
L - Fisher (14-6)	4.0	12	7	7	1	4
S - Nottelmann (3)	3.0	1	0	0	0	4

Hitting Leaders	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	HR
MU - Hudson	4	1	3	3	0	1
MU - Lee	3	1	1	3	1	1

Redshirt sophomore Chelsea Thomas pushed her record to 18-3 with four innings of work. The righty struck out 10 while walking zero, as she allowed two runs – one earned – on three hits.

After a scoreless first inning, Missouri pushed across a run in the top of the second with a perfectly executed double steal by Ashley Fleming and Nicole Hudson. They each singled to put runners on first and second with one out, and Fleming advanced to third on a fly out to deep right. With Abby Vock up, Hudson took off for second, allowing Fleming to score from third.

The first three Tigers reached in the top of the third, capped off by a three-run blast by Catherine Lee to make it 4-0. Jenna Marston led off with a single into the hole at shortstop, and moved up to second on a throwing error on the play. Rhea Taylor followed by laying down a perfect bunt single, advancing Marston to third. Lee then belted her sixth home run of the season, matching last year's total, as she sent a blast over the wall in right-center.

Northern Iowa cut the lead in half with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the third, one of which was earned. A bloop single just over the head of Marston dropped into left, and two batters later a swinging bunt just stayed in fair territory about six inches in front of the batter's box. With two outs, Hannah Borschel lined a double into the gap, and a bobble on the play allowed both runners to score.

Two straight singles by Fleming and Marla Schweisberger, both sent right back up the middle, set up Hudson's third hit of the game and ninth home run of the season. The blast was sent opposite field off the scoreboard, increasing Mizzou's advantage to 7-2.

Junior Kristin Nottelmann worked the last three innings, allowing no runs on just one hit while striking out four for her third save of the season. Nine different Tigers picked up hits, with Hudson's three leading the way. Marston and Fleming each added two hits, while Hudson and Lee drove home a team-best three each.

Missouri comes back home for a pivotal weekend set with No. 14 Oklahoma. Each game will be aired on national television, with Saturday's 3:30 p.m. competition being broadcast on Fox Sports Net. The finale on Sunday will air on ESPN, starting at 3 p.m.