Softball to begin uphill WCWS climb against Missouri
May 29, 2009 by ZACH DILLARD
Filed under Sports
Georgia softball has thrived when their backs were against the wall this NCAA Tournament and will need to continue that trend to avoid elimination on Saturday.
The Bulldogs (44-11) will face the Missouri Tigers in a must-win scenario in Women’s College World Series at the ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Okla at noon on Saturday. Both squads opened the WCWS with losses, meaning that one more sends them home in the double-elimination tournament.
Georgia’s mighty lineup could not find a way to score runs against third-seeded Washington and National Player of the Year, pitcher Danielle Lawrie in their 3-1 opening game loss.
Georgia stranded seven total runners in the contest, including four runners in scoring position. First-team All-American third baseman Alisa Goler was unable to get on-base for the first time this entire postseason.
Georgia will need to get Goler going at the plate to provide some power behind fellow first-team All-American Taylor Schlopy, who has hit for six RBIs in her last three games this postseason.
“It’s the same mindset as before, just keep fighting, battling one pitch at a time,” said Schlopy. “We fight to the end, no matter what the score is.”
Senior pitcher Christie Hamilton provided a quality effort on the mound for the Bulldogs in Game 1, and either she or Sarah McCloud will look to duplicate that against the unseeded Tigers.
Missouri (50-11) also struggled in their first game of the WCWS, losing to defending national champion Arizona State 7-3. The Big-12 champion Tigers allowed six early runs in the game and never really challenged Arizona State in the entire contest.
“We lost, but we have another game this week and we’re going to come back on Saturday ready to play,” said Missouri designated player Micaela Minner. “We’ve lost before. And now we’re just going to stay together and come back on Saturday with confidence.”
Missouri managed to go just 4-for-25 at the plate in the game. Right fielder Marla Schweisberger was the only batter who reached base on multiple occasions – going 2-for3 with an RBI.
