Feb. 14, 2009
Box Score
Atlanta, Ga. - The 17th ranked Missouri softball team opened the 2009 season with a 4-2 win over Evansville, at the Georgia State First Pitch Classic held in Atlanta, Ga. Sophomore Rhea Taylor (Buford, Ga.) scored three of Missouri's four runs, while junior pitcher Jana Hainey (Peculiar, Mo.) was credited with the win. The victory is Missouri's third season opening win in five years.
Batting leadoff for the 65th time of her career, All-American Taylor opened the game with a single to shortstop and stole second, advancing to third on senior Andee Allen's (Barnhart, Mo.) single to second base. Taylor scored on designated player Micaela Minner's (Sanger, Texas) sacrifice fly to left field.
Together the Tigers managed six hits off of Evansville pitcher Jennifer McKee. Sophomore Kathryn Poet (Tujunga, Calif.) led off the bottom of the second inning with a single to centerfield and advanced to second on catcher Katie Milles' (St. Louis, Mo.) ground out to catcher. After stealing third base, Poet scored on sophomore Abby Vock's (Morrison, Ill.) RBI groundout to shortstop. Returning to the top of the order, Taylor made her second appearance at the plate and reached first on a throwing error that left the Tiger safe at second. Allen, who finished the day with two RBI, drove in Taylor with her single to short. Taylor's second run of the game was the only one to come across unearned.
The Tigers were held hitless in the third and fourth innings but Taylor came through in the bottom of the fifth with a leadoff triple to left field. Taylor scored on Allen's groundout.
Evansville attempted a comeback in the top of the sixth frame, scoring two earned runs on four hits. The Purple Aces managed four extra base hits, including two doubles in the sixth.
Hainey, Missouri's sole left-handed pitcher, made her 25th career start in the circle and threw five innings before being relieved by freshman Kristin Nottelmann (Fenton, Mo.). The Tiger duo combined for seven strikeouts, 10 fly outs and two groundouts.
