March 16, 2005

Final Stats

Evansville, Ind.- Ranked No. 18 in the nation, the Missouri softball team bested the Evansville Purple Aces in an 8-3 makeup game tonight at Cooper Stadium. Sophomore lefty Erica Peterson (Irving, Texas) twirled for her 11th win of the season, while the Missouri offense collected eight runs off of 12 hits including doubles pounded by sophomore catcher Kathy Masterson (St. Louis, Mo.) and redshirt freshman Micaela Minner (Sanger, Texas).

Jumping out to an early lead, the Tigers scored four runs in the top of the first inning after sophomore outfielder Leanne Bowers (Arnold, Mo.) singled as Missouri's leadoff hitter and stole second for her seventh successful attempt of the season. Freshman Jen Bruck (St. Peters, Mo.) walked, bringing up Minner who singled to advance Bowers home. After giving up two hits and walking Bruck, the Purple Aces brought in pitcher Katie Markle in an attempt to shut down the Tigers. Unsuccessful in her first attempt, Markle gave up a single to freshman Amanda Renth (Mascoutah, Ill) who drove in Bruck for run number two. After striking out junior Janessa Roening (Port Angeles, Wash.) and senior Heather Kunkel (Oak Forest, Ill.), Masterson stepped up and crushed her fifth double of the season to advance Minner home. Run number four was forced in after junior Kendra Power (Kansas City, Mo.) and sophomore Sarah Stringer (Auxvasse, Mo,) walked.

Bruck tossed for 3.2 innings of work for Missouri, striking out three batters. Making her first outing of the season, senior Erin Kalka (Chandler, Okla.) finished the game off for the Tigers, pitching for one complete inning.

Now 23-2 on the season, the Tigers will return to action Saturday, March 19, as they play host to the Tiger Invitational on University Field. Missouri will battle with in-state opponent UMKC in a 1 p.m. (CT) game followed with a 3:30 p.m. (CT) battle with Louisiana Tech.