Fleming has big day as Tigers take two

The sophomore outfielder hit two home runs in a double-header sweep.

By Zach Mink

Published March 19, 2010

Sophomore outfielder Ashley Fleming had a career day as the Tiger softball team extended its winning streak to 16 games with a two-game sweep of Wichita State on Wednesday.

Fleming went 4-for-6 on the day with two home runs and seven RBIs. The home runs were her first two of the year.

The Tigers stalled early on offense in game one. Finally getting to Shocker freshman pitcher Katie Armagost in the third inning, the Tigers plated six runs behind RBIs from six different batters. Junior outfielder Rhea Taylor sparked the rally with a triple to start the inning off.

Fleming put the game away in the sixth inning with a walk-off two-run homer to force the run-rule 8-0 victory.

Sophomore pitcher Kristin Nottelmann earned her fifth win of the season, throwing four shutout innings and allowing only one hit.

Picking up right where she left off in game two, Fleming blasted another two-run home run to put the Tigers up 2-0 in the first inning. The Tigers did not score again until the fifth inning, when Fleming drove home Taylor and freshman shortstop Jenna Marston with a single.

Fleming, who was moved to the power spots in the lineup for the double-header, was happy with the switch.

"It was exciting because I haven't really hit in the three or four hole much," Fleming said. "Being in that position I know that it is my job to produce runs, and I just went out and got around on the ball."

Coach Ehren Earleywine praised Fleming after the game and said he had been waiting for her to break out offensively.

"Her success today doesn't surprise me," Earleywine said. "If you watch Ashley take batting practice, its unreal, and I've been waiting for her to do it in-game. I expect this from her, but the only thing that holds Ashley back is Ashley."

After Fleming's two-RBI single, junior outfielders Kathryn Poet and Shana White followed with RBI singles of their own, extending the lead to 6-0.

Poet, who has recently returned from a knee injury, is still trying to get back into a groove at bat.

"I've been lifting weights almost every day, and just trying to get back into shape," Poet said. "I'm still adjusting at the plate, and I was extremely late on some pitches today, but I am definitely gaining more confidence with each at-bat."

The Shockers got on the board in the seventh inning with a solo home run off senior pitcher Jana Hainey, who was in relief of sophomore Chelsea Thomas. The late rally was not enough, and the Tigers cruised to a 6-1 victory.

Thomas earned her 10th win of the season, striking out 12 and allowing two hits in five and two-thirds innings. Recently plagued with forearm stiffness, Thomas did not seem to feel any effects from the injury. But Earleywine said Thomas still needs to get her endurance up for the postseason.

"Right now she doesn't have the endurance because she's been nursing that sore arm," Earleywine said. "We've kept her pitch counts low and have kept her from throwing back to back games, but for the next two weeks we need to work really hard to get her endurance back up."

Missouri puts its win streak on the line as it hosts the Demarini Invitational this weekend, kicking off action at 3 p.m. Friday against Northern Colorado.