The No. 4 Missouri Tigers (25-4) belted out 17 runs on 20 hits in two run rule wins over Saint Louis (16-12) on Wednesday at University Field. The Tiger pitchers limited the Billikens to just two hits in each game, beating SLU by scores of 8-0 and 9-0 in the two five-inning games, respectively.
Sophomore Kristin Nottelmann got the win in game one, pitching all five innings while giving up just the two hits, no walks and striking out six. The win pushes Nottelmann’s record to 7-3 on the season, while her ERA stands at 1.83.
Lindsey Muller got the start in game two, pitching three innings of perfect ball and striking out two for her fourth win of the season.
The Tigers star pitcher Chelsea Thomas has a stress fracture in her right wrist will leave head coach Ehren Earleywine with a decision to make…wait out the injury which could take six weeks or keep her on the bench and possibly get a medical redshirt for this season. Injuries are nothing new for Thomas. Last year she missed over a month with a strained bicep. She went 16-7 with a 1.65 ERA and helped lead Missouri to the college softball world series.
With the team ranked fourth and poised for another run deep into post-season it may be worth the risk waiting for Thomas to heal and have it here ready for the Big 12 tournament and post-season play. If she did miss the six weeks, that would take care of the entire Big 12 schedule which continues this weekend as they’ll welcome in No. 15 Oklahoma State for MU’s Big 12 home opener.
