Missouri eliminated from Women's College World Series
Missouri softball’s historic 2009 season came to an abrupt end on Saturday in Oklahoma City, Okla.
The Tigers, winners of a school-record 50 games and the Big 12 Tournament Championship, lost their second-straight game and bowed out of the Women’s College World Series, falling 5-2 to No. 6 seed Georgia.
Missouri was the only unseeded team in the eight-team field and also became the first squad eliminated in the tournament.
Freshman pitcher Chelsea Thomas lasted four innings and, despite giving up only three hits, picked up her second-straight loss.
Georgia made its few hits count as Thomas was stung by a couple of big blows in the fourth and fifth innings. In the fourth, Bulldogs freshman catcher Kristyn Sandberg extended Georgia’s lead to 3-0 with a two-run homer into the seats in centerfield. Georgia shortstop Kritsin Schnake knocked Thomas out of the game with a two-run double in the fifth.
Despite outhitting the Bulldogs five to three, Missouri had trouble pushing across runs as they left six runners on base.
Missouri managed its two runs in the sixth inning as right fielder Marla Schweisberger drove in a pair with a single to center.
Look for more coverage of Missouri’s College World Series exit in Tuesday’s issue of The Maneater.