Feb. 9, 2007
Box Score
STARKVILLE, Miss. - The Owls remained perfect on Opening Day as they scored three runs in the first inning en route to a 5-1 win over Purdue in the first game of the of the Mississippi State Invitational at the MSU Softball Field on Friday morning.
Six KSU players had a hit and Amanda Malcom (1-for-3) drove in a pair of runs to support Norie Glazebrook (1-0), who picked up her first Opening Day win. The Owls have now won 17 straight opening day contests.
Purdue starter Brooke Baker (0-1) made things easy for the Owls (1-0) in the bottom of the first inning as she walked KSU's first three batters. An error by third baseman Ashley Hall scored Klair Wells (1-for-3) for a 1-0 lead. The wildness continued as Glazebrook (0-for-2) and Megan Gant (1-for-2) each drew bases loaded walks to give the Owls a 3-0 lead with getting a hit.
Baker would settle down after the five-walk first inning, however she wouldn't be effective enough to allow the Boilermakers (0-1) to get back in the game.
Kennesaw State would add to its lead in the bottom of the third inning when they posted a two-run rally. Gant singled up the middle and April Keasler (1-for-3) followed with a single through the right side of the infield. Malcom then followed with a two-run double to right field, giving KSU a 5-0 advantage.
Glazebrook was effective in her first Opening Day start against the Owls first Big Ten opponent. The sophomore allowed just three hits over the five innings, however suffered through bouts of wildness, finishing with five walks.
The only trouble she got into came in the top of the fifth inning when Purdue struck for their lone run. After an out, Glazebrook allowed back-to-back walks before striking out Kelsey Haupert (1-for-2). DeQueta Johnson (1-for-3) then singled to load the bases before Kearns hit Jenna Alexander (0-for-3). Kearns got Alicia Spack (1-for-2) to fly weakly to center to end the inning.
The Owls play Iowa State in the second game of the tournament. First pitch is scheduled for noon.
