Players surpass home-run record
Published May 4, 2007
After entering the season tied with former Tiger Mary Babb with 26 home runs, Juniors Jen Bruck and Micaela Minner have already surpassed the MU softball career home run record.
Both Minner and Bruck have six home runs this season to bring their career totals to 32.
Although the two might go back and forth to see who finishes her career with the honor, Minner said she isn't thinking about it.
"It's just a number," she said. "It's about winning the game and scoring runs. It's not about us trying to win the record."
Bruck said she doesn't think about it often but sometimes uses it for motivation.
"We just kind of push each other to get as high as we can," she said. "It's kind of competition for both of us. If she hits a home run and she's one out in front of me, then it gives me motivation."
First-year coach Ehren Earleywine said both players' statistics are down this year. He cites their adjustment to his hitting system as the setback.
"As good a year as both of those kids have had this year, I think they both feel like they're capable of more," he said. "And the important thing now is that they remember that no matter what stats they've put up, it doesn't matter. Now we have a conference title on the line."
Bruck said she understands Earleywine's system and agrees with his changes, but the process hasn't been without setbacks.
"I've never played for a coach that's as smart as he is just about the game in general," Bruck said. "From what I've been taught my whole life it's been different than what I'm learning now. I think what he's been teaching makes a whole lot more sense that what I've been taught all my life."
Minner said she has been adjusting to Earleywine's system, which she said is more mechanical than what she is accustomed to.
"In the past it's been more mental," she said. "And this year it's more specific mechanical things, and it's helped. It's helped me, I think. Maybe my numbers don't show it, but I think in general, I've hit better than I've hit the last three years."
This season, a third junior, Amanda Renth, has hit 13 home runs and emerged as Missouri's home run leader. Renth said Bruck and Minner are not her source of motivation.
"They've hit so many in their career, I haven't even really thought about it," Renth said. "But it's great to be producing like that. I'm sure we'll have a race in the end."
Earleywine explained Renth's emergence as a result of her work ethic.
"She comes early, she stays late, she watches video and she really has been a student of what I'm teaching," Earleywine said.
The Tigers have their final regular season series at home this weekend against Nebraska. Two wins would guarantee at least a share of the Big 12 regular season title, but a loss could drop them to third.