Tigers advance to Women’s College World Series
The Tigers will advance to the WCWS for the second straight year.
Published June 2, 2010
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Freshman shortstop Jenna Marston throws to first base, getting the out against Oregon during the NCAA Super Regional at University Field on Saturday. Marston had one hit to help the Tigers win the first of two games against Oregon.
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The No. 9 Missouri Tigers earned their second consecutive Women’s College World Series berth Sunday, defeating Oregon 7-2. The win also gave the Tigers 51 victories on the season, surpassing the team record of 50 wins set last year.
Missouri was backed by yet another impressive performance by sophomore pitcher Kristin Nottelmann, who has carried the Tigers throughout the postseason. Nottelmann threw her fourth straight complete game, while allowing only one earned run and striking out four. The sophomore improved her record to 24-7 on the year.
After scoring only one run in the victory over Oregon yesterday, the Tiger bats came alive, plating seven runs on ten hits. Coach Ehren Earleywine was pleased with the effort of his team in the Super Regional.
“We had a fantastic day, and we were swinging the bats a lot better than we did yesterday,” Earleywine said. “Our hitters got us off the hook, and Nottelmann kept them right where they were at. We carried some big bats today and got some big hits.”
The Tigers struck early, scoring two runs in the first inning. Freshman third baseman Nicole Hudson started the rally with a single, and advanced to second as fellow freshman Jenna Marston reached on an error. Sophomore outfielder Ashley Fleming drove in Hudson with a single, and finished 3 for 3 on the day with two RBIs. Marston scored a batter later on a passed ball, extending the lead to 2-0.
The Ducks would answer back in the bottom of the first, scoring one run to cut the lead to 2-1.
Missouri tacked on another run in the fourth inning, on a home run by junior outfielder Lisa Simmons. After another run by Oregon in the fifth, Missouri blew the game wide open, scoring four runs and extending the lead to 7-2, which would be the final score. The big inning started with a solo home run from Hudson.
Nottelmann, who was looking for run support after the 1-0 game one victory, was excited to see the home run from the young freshman.
“As soon as (Hudson) came around, I gave her a high five and said thank you,” Nottelmann said. “I needed a little more run support, and she gave that to me and started that big rally that gave me some breathing room.”
The home run was Hudson’s 10th of the season. She became the first true freshman since Jen Bruck in 2005 to hit 10 home runs in the season. Hudson, who came on late in the season after struggling early on, feels she is finally feeling comfortable at the plate.
“Everything is starting to click at the right time,” Hudson said. “This season has been a big learning experience. I started off slow and now I feel comfortable with my swing for the first time in a long time.”
After losing sophomore ace Chelsea Thomas to injury midseason, many counted the Tigers out of the CWS. Earleywine expressed his happiness that the team was able to overcome the odds.
“I’m really proud of the girls,” Earleywine said. “I know for a long time people have counted us out, and I think everyone has had their doubts about this team. That’s always a fun story when people can overcome the odds like that.”
Missouri will start the CWS on Thursday against the No. 16 seed Hawaii, who upset the No. 1 seed Oklahoma in the Tuscaloosa Super Regional and earned a bid.