Spring Break
Coach Jo Evans hopes to slow Mizzou offense
By: T.D. Durham
Issue date: 4/3/09 Section: Sports
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Missouri is 31-5 in 2009, but is coming off of a doubleheader against Kansas in which each team won one game. The Jayhawks defeated the Tigers 4-1 in the second game of the doubleheader Wednesday.
A&M Head Coach Jo Evans said that Missouri losing to a team with a losing record provides a little comfort for her team.
"It definitely lets us know that there is an opportunity to get a win," Evans said. "It just goes to show that Missouri is not unbeatable."
Before the loss to Kansas, the Tigers were riding a six-game
win streak.
Leading the Tigers is sophomore 2008 All-American Rhea Taylor. The speedy outfielder posted a Big 12-leading .408 batting average.
She also received Big 12 Freshman of the Year accolades, becoming the first Missouri player to do so.
Evans said the key to success against a threat like Taylor is
keeping her off the base paths.
"She's critical to their success, and she's very very fast," Evans said. "Last year, we did a really nice job off keeping her off base, and that's the game plan we're going for this year."
Missouri senior pitcher Stacy Delaney is No. 25 in the nation in ERA with 1.20. She received the Big 12 Pitcher of the Week award for the second time after posting a 0.44 ERA against Houston and Baylor.
"She did a pretty good job for them last year," Evans said. "She does a great job keeping them in games."
Evans said A&M is focusing more on Missouri's offense.
"They score so many runs, and that takes a lot of pressure off of their pitchers," Evans said.
The Aggies lost a tough game to rival Texas Wednesday, 5-3, and are 1-2 in conference play. The loss was A&M's second consecutive, and in their previous two games, the Aggies have been outscored 8-5.
Evans said the team needs offensive consistency. She said is the toughest part of the game.
"You're set up to fail on offense and it's the most challenging in terms of confidence," Evans said. "We have players who are feeling really good about themselves offensively, but others who have taken a sort of tail spin. We just need to figure out a way to relax and play the game."
When and where
No. 19 Texas A&M vs.
No. 12 Missouri
12 p.m. Saturday and
2 p.m. Sunday,
Colombia, Miss.
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