Softball Opens 2016 Season at FAU Kick-Off Classic

Saturday, February 13

Boca Raton, Fla.

2:45 p.m.

Tulsa

Penn State

Softball Opens 2016 Season at FAU Kick-Off Classic

2/11/2016 4:49:00 PM | Softball

By: Eric Hollier

TULSA, Okla. – The University of Tulsa softball team opens the 2016 season this weekend at the FAU Kickoff Classic, where it will face FAU, Hofstra, Penn State and Wright State, at FAU Softball Stadium in Boca Raton, Fla.

The Golden Hurricane begins the tournament Friday with two games, starting against Wright State at 12:30 p.m. and Hofstra at 2:45 p.m. The Hurricane then plays Saturday against Penn State at 2:45 p.m. and FAU at 7:15 p.m., before closing the weekend against Hofstra at 10:15 a.m. Sunday.

Tournament information, including full schedule and live stats links, can be found here.

The Hurricane is beginning its 11^th season under head coach John Bargfeldt. This season, TU returns 11 letterwinners, including seven starters and six all-conference selections from a year ago.

Tulsa is 1-2 all-time against Hofstra, 2-3 against Penn State and 2-4 against FAU, while this will be the first meeting against Wright State. The Hurricane defeated Hofstra in their last meeting, 9-6, in 2013, and split wit Penn State in 2011, falling 3-1 before winning, 3-0. FAU defeated TU, 1-0, last season in Boca Raton, and last defeated the Owls, 6-5, in 2012.

Tulsa's six all-conference performers returning from last season include first-team junior outfielder Maddie Withee, and second-team selections: senior pitcher Caitlin Sill, catcher Catherine Horner and outfielder Jodi Edmiston and junior third baseman Maggie Withee and outfielder Brittany Walker.

Maddie Withee .323 with 22 RBI and nine extra base hits, Horner hit .267 with 36 runs, 37 RBI and 16 extra base hits, including 12 doubles and four triples, and Walker led TU with a .364 average, adding 26 RBI and 25 runs. Maggie Withee hit .313 with 38 runs, and Edmiston hit .312 with nine doubles, 26 runs and 23 RBI. Sill compiled a team-low 2.21 ERA, with highs of six shutouts and six saves, tossing 80 strikeouts in 133.0 innings.

In addition, shortstop Shelby Estocado hit .272 with 31 RBI and 28 runs, second baseman Kaitlin Allen hit .280 with 12 runs and 11 RBI, and Jocelyn Sheffield hit .356 with six extra base hits, nine RBI and nine runs in 45 at bats. Emily Watson posted a 2.37 ERA in the circle with an 8-4 record and 76 strikeouts in 88.2 innings.

Seven freshmen joined the team for the 2016 season, including pitcher Ellie Reaves, catcher Rylie Spell, infielders Morgan Neal and Tori Stafford, and outfielders Julia Hollingsworth, Ashley Kiser and Lauren Lomax.

Follow Tulsa Softball on Twitter (www.twitter.com/TulsaSoftball) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/TulsaSoftball). Follow Tulsa Athletics on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/TulsaHurricane and Facebook at www.facebook.com/TulsaHurricane.