COLUMBIA, Mo.—The Oklahoma State softball team came up just short against No. 10 Missouri and lost 5-3 on Saturday afternoon. Cowgirl freshman Gessenia DeLaCruz hit her first home run of the season for two runs while Shelby Davis and Amy Graham each had two hits.
By the third inning, Missouri (42-12, 16-7) had a 4-0 lead. Kayla Kingsley hit a two RBI-double to the left field wall to score their first runs in the second inning. Ashley Fleming added to more runs the next inning with a two-run home run to right field.
OSU (25-25, 8-15) battled back when Amy Graham led off the fifth with a single into left field, her second hit of the game. Freshman Gessenia DeLaCruz followed with a home run over the center field fence. Ari Morrison reached on a walk and Shelby Davis singled before Chelsea Thomas was brought in to pitch for Tiger starter Bailey Erwin. She proceeded to throw eight straight balls to load the bases and then walk a run in. Chelsea Garcia struck out for the third out to end the rally and the score was 4-3.
The Tigers added another run in the bottom of the sixth inning after Lindsey Muller hit a solo home run. Erwin got the win for the Tigers and is now 8-0. She threw 4 and 2/3 innings, gave up five hit for three earned runs, struck out eight and walked one. Thomas picked up her third save of the season after throwing the final 2 and 1/3 innings. She didn’t allow another hit and struck out five.
Kat Espinosa threw the complete game for the Cowgirls and is 15-12 on the year. She gave up five hits for five earned runs, struck out three and walked one.
Oklahoma State will play again Sunday at noon to wrap up the conference series with Missouri and the 2012 regular season.
