Making their first appearance in 15 years at the Women’s College World Series, the 11th-ranked Tigers (50-11) suffered an opening round, 7-3, loss to ninth-ranked Arizona State (47-17) at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Okla. The Tigers managed only four hits on the day, both extra base knocks, but faltered in the field, accounting for two errors.

Arizona State jumped out to an early lead hanging six runs on six hits through two innings. Freshman pitcher Chelsea Thomas (Pleasantville, Iowa) struggled in the circle, and was relieved at the start of the third by senior right-handed hurler Stacy Delaney (Freeland, Mich.). Delaney went right to work, throwing nine strikes in her first 13 pitches. By close of the game, Delaney forced two strikeouts and allowed seven hits in four innings of work.

Missouri scored a single run in the top of the third. Rightfielder Marla Schweisberger (Raytown, Mo.) reached base on a leadoff single to short, scoring on a two out double to center by sophomore Rhea Taylor (Buford, Ga.). Taylor rounded second and made her way to third, but was thrown out sliding into third to end the inning.

The Tigers attempted a sixth inning rally, loading the bases for three hole hitter Kathryn Poet (Tujunga, Calif.). Poet reached base on a fielder’s choice that left leadoff pinch hitter Julie Silver (Chesterfield, Mo.) out at home. Cleanup batter Micaela Minner (Sanger, Texas) was next to the plate and drove in one run, Taylor, with her groundout to second base.

Mizzou added a run in the top of the seventh when Schweisberger connected on a bomb to cut the deficit to four runs but Arizona State held on for the 7-3 victory.

With the loss Missouri falls to the loser’s bracket and will take on Georgia at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 30, with the game televised live on ESPN.

Two Tigers from the 11th-ranked Missouri softball team were awarded second team Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-America honors. Senior third baseman Lindsey Ubrun (Riverside, Calif.) and sophomore utility player Marla Schweisberger (Raytown, Mo.) received their first career accolade marking the first time in eight years that two Tigers were awarded All-America honors in the same campaign. The annual award also marks the second straight season in which a Missouri softball player was named to an All-American team.

Averaging .363 on the year, Ubrun has managed a squad high 16 home runs, 56 RBI and .739 slugging percentage this season. Hitting .379 in postseason play, Ubrun and the Tigers will prepare for their second game of the Women’s College World Series set for Saturday, May 30, at 11 a.m. (CT) against Georgia.

Schweisberger, who has seen time at first base, the outfield and even as catcher, is batting .389 on the year and launched a solo home run in Missouri’s opening game of the WCWS. With eight homers to her name, Schweisberger has tallied a .625 slugging percentage. In the field, Schweisberger has tallied 193 putouts and four assists, good enough for a .995 fielding percentage.

Ubrun and Schweisberger become the 17th and 18th Missouri players to earn All-America honors with the 2009 season marking the fifth time in program history that two or more Tigers earned the honor in the same year.

 Missouri State University’s search for its new Director of Athletics concluded today at JQH Arena with the introduction of Kyle Moats as the University’s 10th AD. Moats is currently the Associate Athletics Director for National Marketing at the University of Louisville.

Moats is expected to begin his duties at Missouri State on July 1. He will replace href="http://www.missouristatebears.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=13800&ATCLID=789396">Bill Rowe who will retire on June 30 after 27 years as Missouri State’s top athletics administrator after more than 50 years at the university as a student, coach and administrator.

"I am very pleased to have Kyle Moats as our new Director of Athletics," said Missouri State President Michael T. Nietzel. "Kyle impressed all of us with his broad knowledge, wide range of experience, and vision for the future. He certainly has the student-athlete at the top of his priority list, and he understands how athletics should fit into the culture of a university. Following href="http://www.missouristatebears.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=13800&ATCLID=789396">Bill Rowe, Kyle has big shoes to fill and he knows it. But I am confident Kyle will do an outstanding job for many years to come. All of us are excited to get started."

Moats is in his fourth year as Associate Athletics Director for National Marketing at the University of Louisville. He coordinates the Cardinals’ efforts in national awareness, marketing, branding and group ticket sales. He also works closely with Nelligan Sports Marketing, which manages the exclusive marketing rights for Cardinal Athletics. Moats oversees the Louisville band and spirit squads as the liaison with student government and student spirit groups.

   "I look forward to working in collaboration with the faculty, staff, coaches, athletics staff, and student-athletes at MSU. I sense a great amount of energy and willingness to succeed throughout the entire University community," said Moats at Thursday afternoon’s news conference. "To the fans of Bear Nation, I can promise I’ll work as many hours as it takes to make you proud of your Missouri State athletics program."

Prior to joining the Louisville staff, Moats served as Senior Associate Athletic Director for two years (2004-05) at Marquette University, where oversaw the Golden Eagles’ Blue and Gold Fund, media relations, ticket operation, special events, licensing, radio, television, marketing and promotions and sponsorships with NSM, which has the marketing rights for several Big East Conference schools.

He also worked 14 years in the University of Kentucky athletics department, including his last three there as Associate Athletics Director for Marketing (2000-02).

Moats joined the UK staff as a graduate assistant in the athletics office in 1989, and in 1991 was promoted to Coordinator of Promotions and Special Events. He became the Wildcats’ Director of Marketing, Promotions and Licensing in 1993 before being named Assistant Athletics Director for Marketing in 1996. He served as tournament manager for the 1993 NCAA Golf Championships and the 1996 and 1998 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament events in Lexington.

A native of Dixon, Ill., Moats is a 1988 graduate of Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville with a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education. While at SIUE, Moats was a three-year letter winner in golf and was a student assistant basketball coach for the Cougars from 1985-1988. He earned a master’s degree in Sports Management from the University of Kentucky in 2001.

Moats and his wife Leeann have two children, Kirk (19) and Lauren (15).

"While we had several very good candidates in this search, I feel Kyle has the best combination of attributes and experiences that would make him a very good athletic director," said Missouri State University Vice President for University Advancement Brent Dunn who chaired the Search Committee. "I know that Missouri State will welcome him, and we look forward to working with him."

The process to replace Rowe began with the announcement of the Search Committee on September 28. The 12-member committee reviewed 103 applicants and began interviewing the first of five finalists on April 26. Moats was on campus for his first interview May 17-19 and returned to Springfield yesterday for a follow-up interview.

Moats’ hiring is contingent upon final approval by the Missouri State University Board of Governors at its next scheduled meeting, June 19.