Lady Tiger softball falls to McDonald Co.

Wednesday, September 7, 2005

By Joe Warren

Nevada Daily Mail

The Nevada Lady Tigers dropped their second of the season to McDonald County in Southwest Conference softball action Tuesday, 4-2.

The Lady Tigers struggled to score against McDonald County starter Tara Higgins, but managed to be the first team all season to hang earned runs on the dominant hurler.

Nevada also showed an improved defense Tuesday, allowing only two errors after their 10-error fiasco last week against Lamar.

"We definitely played much better than we had last week," Nevada head coach Brandi Thomsen said. "We still had opportunities where we could have helped ourselves but didn't."

At the plate, the Lady Tigers were led by Heather Klingaman's run-scoring double. That was one of only four hits Nevada could muster against Higgins.

"She's very solid," Thomsen said of Lady Mustang pitcher.

In the circle for Nevada was sophomore Katelyn Brier. Brier went the distance, giving up four runs on eight hits.

"(Brier) did an excellent job for us," Thomsen said. "It was nice to see her go the full seven innings. She looked strong."

Thomsen said an improved mental approach helped her team keep McDonald County close.

"Better focus," Thomsen said. "They just seemed to come out ready to play."

McDonald County (5-0 overall, 3-0 in the Southwest Conference) may have taken the lead as the conference favorite after Neosho defeated Webb City Tuesday. It was Webb City's first loss in 35 games, as they won the state championship in 2004.

McDonald County had beaten Neosho last week, making them the only undefeated team in the conference.

Nevada (2-4, 1-3) will take a break from conference play the rest of the week, as they travel to El Dorado Springs Thursday and go to a tournament in Clinton Saturday.

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