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The ninth-seeded Missouri Tigers opened up their Regional with a 6-0 shutout over the Illinois State Redbirds on Friday evening.

The Tigers pounded out six runs on nine hits while being backed by a complete game shutout at the hands of pitcher Chelsea Thomas.

The Tigers were awarded a leadoff walk in their half of the first inning and were able to take advantage, scoring twice to take the early 2-0 lead.

Mackenzie Sykes walked on four pitches and Jenna Marston reached on a fielder’s choice to put two aboard. Ashley Fleming cleared the bases with an opposite field double, scoring both runners.

Mizzou busted it wide open in the sixth inning with three runs on six hits to push their lead 6-0.

Fleming singled to lead off the inning for her second hit of the day and Kelsea Roth followed with her seventh home run of the year, a two-run shot over the wall in left.

Nicole Hudson then singled for the team’s third straight hit, and with one away the Tigers got singles by Kingsley and Genovese to load the bases.

Angela Randazzo came off the bench to deliver a pinch hit single, bringing in Hudson

Mizzou advances in the winner’s bracket to play DePaul Saturday May 19, at 3 p.m. CT.

 Illinois State and Massachusetts will face off at 5:30 p.m., with the loser of the Missouri-DePaul game facing the winner of the ISU-UMass game at 8 p.m.

For more information go to www.mutigers.com