Mizzou Drops Heartbreaker to Huskers, 3-2

Friday, April 22

Lincoln, Neb.

6:00PM

Missouri

Nebraska

4/22/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball

April 22, 2011

LINCOLN, Neb. - A rough fifth inning that saw three walks issued and a hit by pitch ultimately spelled doom for the Tigers, as they dropped the series opener with No. 14 Nebraska by a 3-2 final on Friday evening. Missouri drops to 37-6 on the year and 9-2 in Big 12 play, as their 10-game winning streak was snapped.

No. 14 Nebraska 3, No. 8 Mizzou 2
Box Score

Time: 1:50
Att: 741

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
MIZZOU	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	2	6	0
NU	0	0	0	0	3	0	X	3	1	0

Pitching	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
W - Hagemann (23-7)	7.0	6	2	2	4	4
L - Thomas (20-4)	6.0	1	3	3	5	10

Hitting Leaders	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	HR
MU - Taylor	4	0	2	1	0	0
MU - Simmons	3	0	1	1	0	0

Chelsea Thomas took the loss, falling to 20-4 on the season. She struck out 10, walked five and allowed one hit. Ashley Hagemann picked up the victory for the Huskers, improving to 23-7 on the year.

Taking advantage of three walks and a hit by pitch in the bottom of the fifth, the Huskers were finally able to get on the board and eventually took the lead, scoring three times in the inning on only one hit. Tatum Edwards led off the inning with Nebraska's only hit of the game, sending a double off the wall in right-center field. Two straight walks loaded the bases, and a hit by pitch brought home the first run of the game for the Huskers. Another walk tied the game, and a sacrifice fly by Taylor Edwards scored another run, putting Nebraska up 3-2.

Missouri put their first two runners on in the top of the second, helping them take an early 1-0 lead. Nicole Hudson led off the inning with a double, with Maddison Ruggeberg following with a walk. After a fielder's choice allowed Hudson to move to third, Lisa Simmons lined a base hit into left field, plating Hudson for the first run of the game.

The Tigers had a chance to increase their lead in the top of the third following two straight hits, but Hagemann worked out of the jam. Rhea Taylor led off the inning with an infield single, and she advanced to third on a base hit by Jenna Marston, who moved to second on the throw. However, Hagemann got Ashley Fleming to ground out, Hudson to strikeout and Ruggeberg to fly out, ending the threat.

Two straight two-out walks helped the Tigers put their second run of the game up on the board. Megan Christopher and Abby Vock each drew full count walks, and then Taylor followed with a line drive base hit into right, scoring Taylor Duplechain who pinch-ran for Christopher at second.

Missouri had a chance to tie it or take the lead in the top of the seventh following a one out single and a walk. However, Hagemann worked out of it, getting Hudson to fly out to right and Ruggeberg lined out to short, ending the game.

The Tigers will look to salvage a split tomorrow, when these two teams meet up for the final time at 4 p.m. CT.