Oklahoma State (24-21, 2-4 Big 12) left nine runners on base and could not come up with the clutch hits as Missouri (28-17, 4-0 Big 12) used two solo home runs to defeat OSU, 2-1, on a cold and windy day at Cowgirl Stadium.
Missouri took the lead in the third inning on a home run by Jen Bruck that just squeezed inside the foul pole down the right field line.
OSU tied it in the bottom half of the third on an RBI single by Krystle Sanchez, but Amanda Renth went deep in Missouri's next at bat and the Tigers never looked back. Renth's shot cleared the hitter's eye in dead center field.
Those were the only two hits OSU starter Jessica Hoppock allowed until the fifth. It was the fourth straight quality outing for the senior from Haysville, Kan., as she allowed just two runs on five hits but took the loss to fall to 12-11 on the season.
Bruck (12-4) pitched for Missouri and continually had to work out of trouble as she allowed eight hits, but struck out a career high 10 that helped get her out of numerous jams. The biggest out came when she got Courtney Totte to ground out with the bases loaded in the fourth inning.
OSU never seriously threatened to score again as Bruck retired the final six outs in order.
The two teams conclude the series tomorrow with the first pitch set for 1 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on 780 AM with Bill Van Ness calling the action.
