OKLAHOMA CITY — Jessica Mapes and Taylor Haro each had four hits, and Arizona State used an onslaught of singles Thursday to beat Missouri 7-3 on the opening day of the Women’s College World Series.
The Sun Devils had 13 singles for the most hits in a seven-inning World Series game since 1998, and scored six quick runs to chase Tigers starter Chelsea Thomas after only two innings.
Upon their return to the field where they scored seven runs in the final inning of an 11-0 victory over Texas A&M to clinch the title last year, the Sun Devils put their first five hitters on base. They never let up with a string of singles the Tigers couldn’t handle.
Missouri coach Ehren Earleywine complained that the field hardened since the Tigers won the Big 12 Tournament on it, and that proved advantageous for the Sun Devils.
“We have a dropball pitcher throwing, and the infield played like a trampoline,” Earleywine said. He added, “I don’t know how many six-hoppers got through the infield, but it’s just not conducive to a dropball pitcher when you’ve got an infield that hard.”
Michigan 6, Alabama 1.
The Wolverines took an early lead by capitalizing on wild pitching by Kelsi Dunne (28-4), who last week became the first pitcher to throw back-to-back no-hitters in the NCAA Tournament.
Florida 3, Arizona 0.
Francesca Enea and Megan Bush homered, and Stacey Nelson (40-3) threw a two-hitter against the nation’s top scoring offense.
Washington 3, Georgia 1.
Freshman Niki Williams hit her first home run in three months, and national player of the year Danielle Lawrie (38-7) threw a six- hitter. The Associated Press
