University of Tulsa
San Jose State
Softball Team Slides Past Spartans Once Before Rain
4/25/2002 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 25, 2002
Tulsa, Okla. - There is an old saying in Oklahoma, "If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes... it'll change." No other words were more true on Thurday evening. After a beautiful 80-plus degree afternoon, the skies turned black quickly. Fortunately for The University of Tulsa, the rain was light enough to complete one game at the Donna J. Hardesty Sports Complex. However, in the bottom half of the second inning in game two, the San Jose State coach called a 13-hour timeout. Play was suspended until Friday morning at 9 a.m., due the constant drizzle from Mother Nature.
The first game started the night off on a strange note as the Spartan starting pitcher was scratched as the teams took the field following the National Anthem. SJSU's Becca Baldridge opened the game with a single to left field. Two outs later, Elisa Barrios singled to right field. Baldrige as able to slide home just before the tag, however Barrios was thrown out tring to advance to second.
Tulsa would tie the game in the third inning, as senior Jessie Smith extended her hitting streak to 13 games with a bunt single. Stacey Walkingstick reached on a fielder's choice, however, Smith beat the shortstop's throw to second base. Both baserunners advanced on a double steal with two outs. Karlie Reiss' throw hit off Miranda Gonzales' glove, allowing Smith to score.
The Golden Hurricane added two insurance runs in the when Walkingstick hit a one-out triple to center field. Brandi McGuire followed with a single throught the right side to score Walkingstick. Lindsey Dyer doubled to right field for TU's third consecutive hit in five pitches. Ashlea Montgomery, running for McGuire, scored on Dyer's double.
Jenny Magill picked up her 17th victory of the season against only six losses. She also threw her 19th complete game in 20 starts this season, while striking out one and allowing only three hits.
Smith was one of seven TU players to record a hit in the contest, as Danielle Olsen, Heather Hiar, Walkingstick, McGuire, Dyer and Holly Reynolds all reached safely via a hit.
After a short discussion between games, the coaches and umpires agreed to start the second game. The Spartans were able to record a hit in the top of the first, as Baldridged singled to right field. However the score remained scoreless until the second inning.
Smith extended her hitting streak to 14 games, as she led the inning off with a bunt single. After she stole second, Smith scored on a single by Ami Day. With one out, Mimi Randolph reached on a fielder's choice as Gonzales double pumped on a throw to second base attempting to force out Day. However, the throw hit the dirt short of the bag allowing Day to reach second safely on the error. That is when San Jose State coach Dee Dee Enabenter-Omidiji felt the conditions were not safe to play in. Following a 15-minute discussion, as the rain continued and field conditions worsened, the game was suspended. At 9 a.m., Friday morning, the game will continue with TU at bat, having one out and runners at first and second. The Golden Hurricane will also still have its 1-0 lead.
