FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 28, 2007

Miscues in the field lead to two losses for Southern vs. Missouri Rolla

Game One Box | Game Two Box

Joplin, Mo. - Five unearned runs in game one and six in game two helped Missouri-Rolla to a double-header sweep of the Lions today, 8-1 and 7-5 (8 innings) at Gene Wild Field.

Things started badly for the Lions (2-8) in game one as the Lady Miners batted around in the first inning, scoring five unearned runs before knocking starter Lacee Craig from the game.

Southern answered, though,  with a run in the bottom half of the inning when Rachael Bowen singled up the middle scoring Kayleigh Cecil. That was the only run the Lions got in the opener and Rolla (7-2) added three more over the next two innings. JT Taylor had two hits in the game. Craig went just a third of an inning, allowing four hits and no earned runs, while striking out one.

The Lions looked to get back on the right foot in game two and scored four runs in the bottom of the first without the benefit of a hit. Kelli Bax and Emily McPeters walked to start the inning, and both advanced a base on a wild pitch. Sam Neely was hit with a pitch to load the bases. Another walk to Rachael Bowen and a wild pitch scored both Bax and McPeters, and Neely scored when both Andrea Childs and Chasidy Austin walked. Another walk to Amanda Godfrey, the sixth of the inning, scored Bowen and forced Rolla's starter Ashley Wallingford from the game. She was replaced by game one starter Jen O'Hara, who held the Lions scoreless for the next six innings.

With two outs and a runner on in the top of the seventh, Rolla's Rachel Wilkinson doubled down the left field line putting runners at second and third for Lauren Feltmann. Feltmann lifted a fly into short left field just getting under the diving glove of Taylor, and two runners scored to tie the game at four and send it into extra innings.

Rolla's Emily Tucker was placed on second in the top of the eighth via the international tiebreaker. Nicole Naughton was up to sacrifice, but when Craig's throw went down the first base line, Tucker scored the go ahead run. The Miners added two more runs that inning and a late run from Southern in their half of the eighth would be too late.

Taylor and Childs both had two hits and scored once in game two. Craig started game two, as well, and in both games today, pitched seven and a third of an inning, allowing just one earned run, while striking out seven. She, however, took the loss in both games.

The Lions will now play host to their own Terri (Mathis) Zenner Memorial Tournament tomorrow and Saturday starting at 9 am Friday with a game against Southern Arkansas. The Lions will also face Augustana at noon tomorrow, and Rolla at 9 am on Saturday before staring bracket play.