Softball pitcher starts MU career with one-hitter

Before his team traveled to Atlanta to play its first games of the season, Missouri softball coach Ehren Earleywine was confident freshman pitcher Chelsea Thomas was going to overpower her opponents from the start.

Just to be safe, though, he said it might be a good idea to wait to boast until she had actually started a collegiate game.

“The truth of it is, we haven’t played one single game yet, so you don’t know 100 percent for sure how good she’s going to be," Earleywine said.

After Saturday, Thomas officially has her first win as a Tiger and her opponents have one hit.

The newcomer from Pleasantville, Iowa, pitched all five innings of Missouri's 10-0 win over Virginia Tech at the Georgia State First Pitch Classic, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out three.

All-American Rhea Taylor was 3-for-4 in her customary leadoff spot and scored three times, including a solo home run in the second inning.

Earlier in the day, Missouri defeated Evansville 4-2 behind junior Jana Hainey, who started just 10 games a season ago.

All-Big 12 second baseman Andee Allen was 2-for-3 in the game with two RBI. Taylor also had two hits in the game and scored three of the Tigers' four runs.

No. 17 Missouri (2-0) will play host Georgia State at 11:15 a.m. on Sunday.