Tulsa
Northern Iowa
Softball Team Bounces Back With Two Wins
2/7/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 7, 2003
The University of Tulsa softball team bounced back from a disappointing opening day, with a pair of wins on the second day of the Metrodome Classic in Minneapolis, Minn. The Hurricane defeated Northern Iowa, 6-2, in the day's first game and Western Illinois, 3-0, in the second game.
After giving up two runs in the first inning to the Panthers, the Hurricane roared for four runs in the top of the second inning. Tulsa utilized three hits, a pair of UNI errors and a stolen base to its advantage during the rally. Tulsa added two more insurance runs in the third inning thanks to a two-run homerun by senior Crissy Strimple.
Sophomore Ami Day picked up the complete-game victory, with seven strikeouts in seven innings. She walked only one batter while scattering six hits. Senior Brandi McGuire led the hurricane attack with a 4-for-4 performance at the plate. It marked the second time in McGuire's career she recorded a four hit game. Strimple and sophomore Stacey Walkingstick posted two hits apiece, as well.
The second game became a pitcher's dual as neither team could push a run across until the bottom of the seventh. Walkingstick hammered a three-run walk-off home run for the TU victory, with two outs in the final stanza. The long ball was her first of the season, and only the second of her career. She led the Tulsa hitters for the game as well, as Walkingstick was the only TU player to record two hits to go along with her three RBI.
Sophomore Lindsey Dyer pitched six shutout innings with strikeouts before combining with freshman Maren Genow for the victory. Genow earned her first collegiate win by pitching the final three outs of the seventh inning.
Tulsa will conclude the classic with a pair of contests on Saturday. The Hurricane will face Bradley in the first game of the day at 9 a.m., followed by a 3 p.m. contest with host Minnesota.
