Tigers eliminated from Women's College World Series
A gutsy performance from Chelsea Thomas wasn't enough to keep Missouri's title hopes alive Saturday, as the Tigers fell to Baylor by a score of 1-0 in 13 innings. The loss eliminated Missouri (53-10) from the Women's College World Series mere hours after recording the program's first WCWS win in 20 years.
Thomas struck out 19 batters, the second-most in a WCWS game ever, while walking three and allowing just seven hits. The last Baylor hit was the dagger, as Holly Holl hit Thomas' 192nd pitch of the night over the fence in the bottom of the 13th to send Baylor to the semifinals. Thomas finishes her sophomore season with a 32-8 record and a Division I leading 0.95 ERA.
As good as Thomas was, Baylor pitcher Whitney Canion was equally dominant. Canion threw a 13-inning two-hitter while striking out 11 Tigers. After sophomore Jenna Marston singled in the first, Missouri didn't manage a hit for the next 12 innings until Lisa Simmons singled in the 13th. Canion also added two hits at the plate to help her cause.
Missouri will lose senior regulars Rhea Taylor, Megan Christopher, Catherine Lee, Marla Schweisberger, Simmons and Abby Vock — a large part of the core that has seen success the past few seasons. But returning are leading hitters Ashley Fleming and Nicole Hudson, and the pitching duo of Thomas and Kristen Nottelmann remains intact, giving hope the team can reach the same heights as this season.