Missouri falls in Women's College World Series opener
Missouri’s trip to the Women’s College World Series is its first since 1994, but opening-round opponent Arizona State made sure there was no time for nostalgia.
The Sun Devils pushed across six runs in the first two innings against freshman pitcher Chelsea Thomas and held on to defeat Missouri 7-3.
The freshman gave up six hits and three walks in the abbreviated outing. She was lifted in favor of senior Stacy Delaney to start the third inning while Delaney went the rest of the way for the Tigers.
On the other side of the diamond, Sun Devil freshman starter Hillary Bach kept the Missouri offense at bay with a four-hit complete game.
Rightfielder Marla Schweisberger paced the Tiger offense with two hits and two runs scored.
Despite Schweisberger’s performance, the Missouri bats were unable to put together a serious rally to answer Arizona State’s early outburst.
Making the most of their four hits, the Tigers scored single runs in the third, sixth and seventh frames.
Despite loading the bases with no outs in the sixth, Missouri was held to a single run on a fielder’s choice.
The Tigers now find themselves in the loser’s bracket where they will meet Georgia on Saturday at 11 a.m.