Pitcher Chelsea Thomas worked out of jams in the first three innings and the offense took over from there as the 6th ranked Tiger softball team improved to 44-6 overall and 13-3 in conference play with their 5-1 victory over No. 20 Oklahoma State on Thursday. The game was a makeup of the rainout on May 1, and the win helped the Tigers move within a half-game of first place Texas.

OSU got an unearned run in the first, but Tigers put two on the board in the second on a homer from Lisa Simmons and tacked on two more in the third and another in the fourth. Rhea Taylor’s first inning single made her the second player in Big 12 history to reach 300 career hits.

If Mizzou sweeps Iowa State this weekend, the worst they can do is gain a share of the Big 12 championship. If Texas falls to Baylor on Sunday and Missouri sweeps, the Tigers will be outright champions.