Feb. 24, 2008
Box Score
Albuquerque, N.M. -Playing in the final game of the second day of the Lobo Invitational, the Missouri softball team (8-5) dropped a 6-4 loss to host school New Mexico (5-5) to fall to 2-1 in the three day tournament.
New Mexico thwarted Missouri's first scoring attempt in the top of the first inning. Freshman centerfielder Rhea Taylor (Buford, Ga.) reached first on a single to third base, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by Lobo shortstop Tianna George. Sophomore Julie Silver (Chesterfield, Mo.) was next at bat and reached base on balls before stealing second. Both Tigers were stranded in scoring position after a strikeout, pop out and ground out. By the end of the game, Missouri had left six runners on base.
The Tigers scored three runs, all earned, in the top of the third frame. Leading off the inning, nine hole hitter Andee Allen (Barnhart, Mo.) tripled to right center bringing Taylor up to the plate for the second time of the game. A slap hitter, left handed Taylor singled to first base and advanced on a passed ball that sent Allen home from third. Taylor safely slid into third on the throw and scored on Silver's sacrifice fly to center field. Junior Lindsey Ubrun (Riverside, Calif.) stepped up to the plate with two outs on the board and hit a home run deep over the wall in right center. The crush, which bounced off of the tree branches above the scoreboard, was Ubrun's second of the season and helped her to a .513 season slugging percentage.
Silver was credited with her third RBI of the tournament after driving in freshman Shana White (Columbia, Mo.) from second base in the fourth inning. Silver, who finished the game 2-for-2 with two RBI, singled up the middle allowing White to score her fourth career run.
The Lobos overcame Missouri's four run lead in the bottom of the forth, scoring two runs before third baseman Analise Rebalcava hit a three run home run for the one run advantage. Missouri ace Jen Bruck (St. Peters, Mo.) battled her way out of the inning striking out Kimberly Holyfield and forcing Sara Loeffelholz to fly out to second base. Bruck was relieved by junior Stacy Delaney (Freeland, Mich.) after throwing four complete innings and suffered her second loss of the season.
After giving up a one run home run, Delaney settled in and struck out five Lobos in two innings.
Missouri will resume its game against No. 22 Washington Sunday, Feb. 24 at 11:30 a.m. (CT). The game, in which Washington leads 2-0 in the bottom of the second inning, was postponed Thursday night after heavy rain showers fell in Albuquerque.
