Thomas tosses no-hitter for Missouri softball
Sophomore pitcher Chelsea Thomas added yet another accomplishment to her already impressive season Friday throwing her first no-hitter of the season against St. Louis. Thomas finished the complete game effort with nine strikeouts and only one walk. Only one hitter reached base against Thomas: a leadoff walk to start the game. Thomas improved her record to 7-1, and increased her career no-hitter total to three. The No. 3 Tigers extended their winning streak to seven games.
Junior designated player Marla Schweisberger ignited the Tiger offense early with a home run in the first, scoring junior centerfielder Rhea Taylor and sophomore leftfielder Ashley Fleming. Taylor had two steals in the game, and is now only eight steals away from tying the all-time record at Missouri. Julie Link currently holds the record with 110. Taylor also scored two runs, moving her into seventh place on the Missouri all-time runs list.
The Tigers struck again in the fifth inning with three more runs. Freshman third basemen Nicole Hudson singled up the middle, scoring Taylor. Hudson then scored alongside junior catcher Megan Christopher on a costly error by Billiken left fielder Kristin Nicoletti.
The Tigers improved their record to 9-2 on the season, as the Billikens fell to 5-5. Missouri continues the Breast Cancer Awareness Tournament tomorrow, squaring off against SEMO at 1:30 p.m. followed by Missouri State at 5:30 p.m. at University Field.