Softball Drops Game 1 at UCF, 4-1

Friday, April 8

Orlando, Fla.

4:30 p.m.

Tulsa

27-8, 5-2

UCF

25-14, 2-0

Tulsa

UCF

Softball Drops Game 1 at UCF, 4-1

4/8/2016 8:24:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: Eric Hollier

Box Score

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Tulsa softball team dropped the first game of its American Athletic Conference series at UCF, 4-1, Friday evening at the UCF Softball Complex.

The teams played a scoreless game through four-and-a-half innings before UCF scored a run in the top of the fifth inning, then added three in the sixth inning, and the Golden Hurricane scored a run in the top of the seventh. The Hurricane fell to 27-8 overall and 5-2 in conference play, while the Knights improved to 25-14 overall and 2-0 in league play.

Junior third baseman Maggie Withee went 2-for-4, and senior catcher Catherine Horner and freshman designated player Julia Hollingsworth each had one hit, as Tulsa totaled four hits in the game. Senior right fielder Kaitlin Allen drove home junior left fielder Maddie Withee for the only TU run.

"We just didn't play well enough to win," Tulsa Head Coach John Bargfeldt said. "We didn't make them earn what they got, and we can't do that against a pitcher that you know is going to limit your opportunities. We know we can come out and play better, and that's what we have to do tomorrow."

Trailing 4-0 in the top of the seventh, Maddie Withee led off the frame with a walk, and Hollingsworth followed with a single up the middle. Following an infield pop out and a passed ball, Allen grounded out to second, scoring Withee to make the score 4-1.

Three errors and six walks hurt the Hurricane, particularly in the fifth inning, when two errors and a walk loaded the bases to set up an RBI single by second baseman Cassady Brewer. TU starter Emily Watson, however, struck out the next batter to end the inning. Watson (9-7) who struck out five and allowed three earned runs in 5.1 innings, got out of a bases loaded, one out jam in the fourth inning with a pair of ground outs.

In the bottom of the sixth, a leadoff walk and four straight hits plated three runs to make the score 4-0. Right fielder Willow Kalinen hit a two-run single and left fielder Linnea Goodman hit an RBI double. Following a flyout to right field, sophomore Lexi Blevins entered the circle in relief, and struck out the final two batters.

Maggie Withee led off the game with a base hit up the middle, and Horner led off the fourth inning with a double down the left field line, but neither baserunner advanced past second base.

UCF starter Shelby Turnier (12-12) struck out seven batters and walked three in the complete-game win.

The second game of the series begins at 1 p.m. CT Saturday.

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

UCF 4, Tulsa 1 (Apr 08, 2016 at Orlando, Fla.)
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Tulsa............... 000 000 1 - 1 4 3 (27-8, 5-2 AAC)
UCF................. 000 013 X - 4 6 0 (25-14, 2-0 AAC)
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Pitchers: Tulsa - WATSON, Emily; BLEVINS, Lexi(6) and HORNER, Catherine. UCF - TURNIER, S. and
McCLOSKEY.
Win-TURNIER, S.(12-12) Loss-WATSON, Emily(9-7) T-2:06 A-416
Weather: Sunny, breezy, 82 degrees