March 12, 2010

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COLUMBIA, Mo. – The No. 3 Missouri softball team (14-2) overcame an upset-minded New Mexico (8-12) squad and a rain delay lasting one hour and six minutes on their way to a 2-0 win in the opening day of the Children’s Hospital Invitational.

Mizzou’s second game, scheduled to be against Bradley immediately following the UNM matchup, has been postponed.  A makeup time has not yet been announced.

Sophomore Chelsea Thomas pitched three innings of relief to secure the win, pushing her record to 8-1 on the season.  Thomas scattered three hits while striking out five after relieving sophomore Kristin Nottelmann, who started the game and threw four innings, allowing two hits, three walks and striking out three.

The teams remained scoreless until the bottom of the sixth inning, when the Tigers were finally able to push a couple of runs across.  Junior Marla Schweisberger kicked off the inning with a single through the left side.  Junior Shana White came in to pinch run, promptly stealing second base and then advancing to third on a ground out.  Sophomore Ashley Fleming singled to left, plating White for the first run of the game.  After Fleming stole second, freshman Jenna Marston doubled into the right-center gap, increasing Mizzou’s lead to 2-0.

Thomas struck out two in the top of the seventh to close out the game and give the Tigers the victory.  The win is the second straight shutout for the Tigers.

Missouri will resume play at the Children’s Hospital Invitational as they’ll take on San Diego State at Noon CT and No. 21/25 Illinois at 2 p.m. CT.  Stay tuned to mutigers.com for more information.