March 10, 2010

Box Score

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The No. 3 Missouri Tigers (13-2) softball team blasted two home runs and used three pitchers to combine for a two-hit, shutout victory over the Northern Iowa Panthers (9-7), leading Mizzou to a 3-0 win.  Senior Jana Hainey (2-0) picked up her second win of the season, pitching two perfect innings of relief with three strikeouts.

Sophomore Kristin Nottelmann picked up her first save of the year, also throwing two innings.  She struck out one hitter while allowing just one hit.  Sophomore Chelsea Thomas started the game, pitching three innings while striking out three.

The Tigers once again continued their first inning offensive surge, plating two in the bottom of the frame.  Junior Rhea Taylor started Mizzou off with a leadoff double, and with one out in the inning, freshman Nicole Hudson crushed her third home run of the season over the 220 ft. sign in straightaway center.

Missouri has outscored their opponents 26-15 in the first inning this year, and is 7-0 on the season when leading after one inning of play.  Mizzou is 10-0 this year when scoring first.

Junior Marla Schweisberger provided the other Tiger run, also hitting her third home run of the year.  With two outs and a full count in the bottom of the fifth, Schweisberger connected for a deep home run over the left field fence, putting Mizzou ahead 3-0.

The No. 3 ranked softball team has a quick turnaround this week, as they'll be back in action this Friday when the Children's Hospital Invitational opens play.  Mizzou's first game begins at 1 p.m. CT against New Mexico, followed by their meeting with Bradley, beginning at 3 p.m. CT.  Stay tuned to mutigers.com for more information.