Tigers eliminated from WCWS
The Tiger softball team was eliminated from the Women’s College World Series on Saturday, falling to Florida 5-0. The loss marked the end of the season for the Tigers.
Sophomore Kristin Nottelmann took the final loss, surrendering three runs on three hits in five innings pitched. Nottelmann, who led the Tigers throughout the postseason, finished the season with a 24-9 record.
Junior Rhea Taylor was one of the few bright spots in the Tiger lineup, going 3 for 3 on the day. Taylor set a new single season record with a .452 batting average on the year.
The Tigers had a similar fate last year, losing their first two games in the WCWS. Coach Ehren Earleywine was disappointed that his team could not make more a run this year.
“Lets make no mistake, we are not satisfied with just being at the College World Series,” Earleywine said. “None of us are saying that this is the pinnacle of where Mizzou softball wants to be.”
The Tigers will lose seniors Jana Hainey, Gina Schneider and Michaele Vock going into next season. However, Missouri will have sophomore ace Chelsea Thomas back from injury, adding a huge boost to the Tiger pitching staff. Although the team could not get a win in the CWS, the Tigers did set a team record with 51 wins on the year, surpassing the 50 wins set last season.