Missouri rides solid pitching to sweep North Dakota State

After March 7th’s doubleheader against Wichita State, MU softball coach Ehren Earleywine was concerned about the lack of consistency from his pitching staff. But after Wednesday’s doubleheader sweep of North Dakota State, Earleywine was pleased with the performances inside the circle at University Field.

“I really like the job Alaina Jacobson did in the second game,” Earleywine said. “I was glad to see her go a complete seven innings.”

Jacobson, a freshman from Crocker, allowed just one run on five hits in the 7-1 final game victory.

Missouri won the first game 5-4.

“She’s turned the corner in the last week or so. She’s found a comfort zone and she’s starting to feel a certain groove,” Earlywine said.

Crocker attributed her success to being able to relax and not overthink while she’s pitching.

“I’m getting used to being out there on the mound in tense situations and just relaxing out there and throwing,” Crocker said. “My curveball is really moving nicely now.”

But the situation in the second game was far from tense. Missouri

scored four runs in the first three innings, including two on a home run by first baseman Amanda Renth, her ninth of the year, while North Dakota State’s only run was unearned because of a throwing error.

But the first game didn’t go so smoothly. Pitcher Jen Bruck, an All-Big 12 Conference pitcher in 2006, came into Wednesday’s doubleheader with a 4.51 ERA. That is nearly a point-and-a-half higher than her ERA in 2006, but she pitched well for the first four innings, giving up just one run and striking out four before departing in the fifth. Jana Hainey, who replaced Bruck, had the staff’s only hiccup, allowing three runs in the fifth to give North Dakota State a 4-2 lead.

After tying the game in the bottom of the fifth, Missouri took the lead with two outs in the bottom of the sixth on a play that Earleywine couldn’t ever remember happening before.

Leadoff hitter Leanne Bowers attempted to steal home on a double steal. However, North Dakota State pitched out, and instead of holding onto the ball and catching Bowers in a rundown, North Dakota State catcher Maryssa McKenzie fired the ball to second and Bowers beat the throw home.

“I have not (seen that before),” Earleywine said. “In hindsight, if you’re doing it by the book, you probably don’t run there, because you run the risk of the kid on third leaving early.”