Silver ‘Clutch’ in MU victory

For the Missouri softball team, Sunday’s game against No. 10 Texas (26-9, 2-3) saw repeat performances from two of its standouts in Saturday’s come-from-behind victory.

Junior Jen Bruck (11-4) calmly worked her way out of trouble for a shutout win, and freshman Julie Silver singled home the game’s only run in the bottom of the sixth inning to give the Tigers (27-17, 3-0) the victory.

Bruck, who gave up four runs in her seven-inning victory on Saturday, dealt with runners on base in six of the seven innings on Sunday for her second straight complete game.

In an especially precarious seventh inning, Bruck loaded the bases with two outs and took Texas catcher Megan Willis to a full count before snaring a ground ball up the middle for the final out. Bruck said that because she views each at-bat the same, tight situations don’t faze her.

“I don’t really get nervous,” Bruck said. “It takes a lot to get me nervous.”

Missouri coach Ehren Earleywine said his starter’s stamina surprised him.

“I was impressed because Jen’s had trouble bouncing back after she’s pitched seven innings,” Earleywine said. “She’s still on the recovery.”

Until the sixth inning, it appeared that Missouri’s success against Texas ace Meagan Denny on Saturday did not carry over to Sunday. Denny had a perfect game through three innings, and faced the minimum number of hitters through five innings.

In fact, the most exciting hit off of a Missouri player’s bat wasn’t even put in play.

A foul ball hit by Missouri’s Sarah Stringer broke through the University Field press box window, sending glass into the face of a reporter, who was fine after a few bandages.

The Tigers’ fortune changed in the bottom of the sixth. Silver, the shortest player on Missouri’s roster at 5-feet-1, faced the 5-foot-10 Denny with runners on first and second base and two outs. After the game, Silver joked about the height difference between Denny and herself.

“She looks a lot taller out there,” Silver laughed.

Despite hitting a two-RBI double on Saturday against Denny, Silver looked overmatched and fell behind in the count 1-2.

However, Silver then laced a single down the left-field line, scoring catcher Kathy Masterson and giving the Tigers the lead.

“Two runners on, I had two strikes on me,” Silver said. “I just think to myself, ‘Hit it and drive it’”.

Earleywine praised his rightfielder after the game.

“It’s unbelievable. You’re talking about a kid who walked on as a freshman, and was projected to catch bullpen and maybe play her junior or senior year,” Earleywine said.

“Now, she’s stepped up and got two huge hits.”

Bruck said that the team has a new nickname for Silver.

“Her new nickname is ‘Clutch’,” Bruck said. “At least, that’s what we’re giving her.”

While the team filtered out of the dugout following the game, Earleywine could be heard giving more praise to Silver.

“From walk-on to superstar,” he said.