NORMAN, Okla. – The No. 18 Missouri softball team scored two runs in the first, second and fifth innings as it earned a 6-0 victory over ULM in the opening game of the Courtyard Marriott Tournament, hosted by the University of Oklahoma, on Friday, March 5.
ULM (3-8) finished the game with two hits, which came off the bats of
Andie Edwards (1-3) and
Alysia Anderson (1-3).
Amber Coons (0-2) and
Murphy Williams anchored the Warhawk pitching staff on Friday evening. Coons tossed 1 1/3 innings, allowed four runs, two earned, on five hits and recorded one strikeout. Williams hurled 4 2/3 innings, surrendered two runs, two hits and fanned two Tiger batters.
Missouri (13-2) closed the game with seven hits and was led at the plate by Cayla Kessinger, who finished 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Emma Raabe, who was 1-for-3 in the game, delivered two RBIs. The winning pitcher for the Tigers was Jordan Weber (5-0), who worked five innings, allowed both ULM hits and closed with four strikeouts.
The Tigers put two runs across in the bottom of the first, which began with a leadoff walk by Brooke Wilmes. Cayla Kessinger advanced the runner to second with a single before a throwing error on a double steal allowed Williams to trot home and Kessinger to move to third. Two batters later, Wert delivered a single into centerfield, providing Missouri with a 2-0 lead.
Missouri tallied two more runs in the bottom of the second. Kendyll Bailey came through with a one-out single and Jenna Laird reached base on an error. Wilmes laid down a bunt to load the bases for Kessinger, who delivered a single to centerfield that brought home Bailey for the game's third run. A sacrifice bunt by Hatti Moore allowed the Tigers to move in front 4-0.
The final Missouri runs came in the bottom of the fifth. Moore reached base on a one-out walk and two batters later, Raabe connected on a two-run home run over the left field wall for the 6-0 lead.
ULM will now face the combination of Sam Houston State (3 p.m.) and Oklahoma on Saturday (5:30 p.m.). Sunday concludes the tournament where the Warhawks meet Missouri (10 a.m.) and Sam Houston State (3 p.m.) for a second time.
For links to live video and stats, visit ULMWarhawks.com.
