Perfect start for Missouri softball

At Classic in California

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The Missouri softball team closed out the Cal Santa Barbara Gaucho Classic with a 12-1 win over the host school Sunday to end up a perfect 5-0 at the event.

The Tigers were led by Lindsey Muller's 4-for-4 performance as the first baseman racked up three singles and a two-run home run.

Muller tied Nicole Hudson for the team lead with three RBI in the contest. Hudson finished the five-game tournament with 11 RBI on seven hits, including five home runs.

A four-run outburst in the third inning was part of an early 5-0 lead for Missouri. UCSB got one run back in the fourth inning, but Missouri made it 7-1 in the fifth inning on Muller's two-run shot.

The Tigers closed out the victory with five runs in the seventh inning.

Chelsea Thomas earned the win for Missouri, allowing just three hits and one unearned run in a complete-game effort. She finished the game with 10 strikeouts.

The Tigers continue their West Coast trip Thursday and Friday in the Mary Nutter Classic in Palm Springs, Calif. Missouri will face Maryland and San Diego State on the first day before finishing up with Florida on Friday.