Tigers' winning streak ends

Missouri's 10-game win streak ended as Tigers split with Iowa State.

By Greg Young

Published April 23, 2009

In freshman pitcher Chelsea Thomas's first start since March 21 against Texas, her pitching was still as efficient as ever.

She was hitting corners and striking out batters despite not having the same velocity she had before her bicep tendonitis was diagnosed last month. She looked relatively untroubled by the meager Iowa State offense.

But in the first inning of the second game, after coming off an easy 5-0 win, Thomas couldn't field three separate ground balls that were hit in her vicinity. Despite only one Iowa State hit leaving the infield that inning, she gave up two runs and Missouri dropped the second game of the double header to the Cyclones, 4-3.

Thomas, who was the Tigers' best pitcher ERA-wise before the injury, said sitting on the bench for three weeks was "pretty much the worst thing I've done in my entire life."

"I hate watching," she said. "I just want to be out there, and it was really frustrating for me."

Thomas ended the game with nine strikeouts, but allowed four hits and four runs and was replaced by freshman pitcher Kristin Nottelman in the fourth inning. Nottleman didn't allow a single hit by the Cyclones for the rest of the game.

After the game, coach Ehren Earleywine said Thomas was about 85 percent and labeled her pitching performance "OK." Earleywine also said Thomas was going to be essential if Missouri wanted to make the next step from being a super regional team to a World Series team.

"She's the type of pitcher that can get us to the next level," Earleywine said.

But against Iowa State, the most effective pitcher was senior Stacy Delaney. Delaney, who pitched in the first game, allowed only three hits and struck out seven Cyclones. Delaney had a no-hitter going until junior infielder Sydni Jones broke through with a single in the fifth inning.

Still, Delaney only allowed three singles and after the game, Earleywine said her performance was outstanding. "The key was that Stacy threw a lot of strikes," Earleywine said. "With a team with six slappers in the lineup, the best that they are going to do is hit a single if you throw a strike."

While the pitching performances contrasted in the two games, Earleywine said the biggest difference between the two games was the umpire.

"They were clearly not in the strike zone," sophomore outfielder Rhea Taylor said. "I guess we can't let that beat us, and that's what it comes down to."

The Tigers face No. 15 Oklahoma on Saturday and Sunday. The Sooners enter the weekend on a four-game winning streak. The Tigers need to win three out of their remaining four regular season games to clinch the Big 12, and all of their remaining games are at home.

"We have a good home crowd," Earleywine said. "It's grown unbelievably this season and I think our kids really respond to that."