Taylor ties record as Tigers take down Wildcats

The Tigers went 4-1 in their last games before Big 12 play starts.

By Zach Mink

Published March 23, 2010

The Tigers completed the Demarini Invitational on Sunday in winning fashion, defeating Northwestern 5-1. The Tigers (22-3) ended with an overall record of 4-1 for the tournament.

The Wildcats could not catch up to sophomore pitcher Chelsea Thomas, who threw a complete game, surrendering only one run and four hits and improving her record to 12-1 on the year. Thomas ended the game with 13 strikeouts, one shy of her career high, which she set one week ago against Illinois State.

Thomas, who was coming off a no-hitter Saturday against Eastern Michigan, is still trying to get her endurance up after a forearm injury set her back a few weeks ago.

"Endurance-wise, I felt really good today," Thomas said. "I'm pretty much 100 percent healthy. I'm still getting treatment, but other than that, I'm good to go."

The coaching staff is still trying to get Thomas' endurance up for conference play and the postseason. Thomas has been on a pitch count the last few games, but coach Ehren Earleywine said her endurance is almost where it needs to be.

"Two weeks ago, Thomas was injured, so we didn't get a chance to throw her much," Earleywine said. "But this weekend, throwing 135 pitches today was a great sign."

Junior outfielder Marla Schweisberger continued her power surge, hitting her fourth home run of the season to lead the Tiger offense. The home run was her second of the tournament.

Junior outfielder Rhea Taylor went 1-for-4 on the day and stole the 110th base of her career, tying her with Julie Link for the Missouri all-time record. Taylor, who was a Big 12 first team selection last year, brushed off talk about the record.

"It's nice," Taylor said. "But I haven't thought about the record at all."

Although Taylor was humbled by talk of the record, Earleywine had nothing but praise for the junior from Buford, Ga.

"Rhea is our table-setter," Earleywine said. "She's the one who ignites our offense, and as she goes, we go. It's important to have someone like that at the top of your lineup, and she's done a fabulous job. Rhea has been a great addition and a great surprise."

Missouri opens conference play against Oklahoma next weekend. After a long 15-game home stand against lesser competition, the Tigers will have their work cut out for them against conference teams. The offense seems to be the only area of concern for Earleywine.

"Hitting- and pitching-wise, we're fine," Earleywine said. "But there are still four or five kids in the lineup who haven't hit their stride yet offensively."

Another concern could be the young core the Tigers bring into conference play. Freshmen Jenna Marston and Nicole Hudson, two key producers in the lineup, have yet to play a conference game in their careers. Taylor said the freshmen must stay confident to succeed.

"Basically, they just need to focus on what they need to do in the batter's box, know their role," Taylor said.

The Tigers begin conference play March 27 against the Sooners in Norman, Okla.