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Tulsa
Western Illinois
Softball Team Splits with Westerwinds
3/11/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 11, 2003
Tulsa, Okla. - The University of Tulsa softball team was actually able to play a double-header on Tuesday as Mother Nature graced the Golden Hurricane with good weather. Unfortunately, the Sun was not shining the whole time as TU lost the first game 5-0 to Western Illinois University. Tulsa came back to win the second game of the double-header, 10-4, at the Donna J. Hardesty Sports Complex.
The Westerwinds broke open a scoreless game with two runs in the top half of fifth inning. WIU nearly hit for the cycle in the inning as they posted a one-out single, a run-scoring double and two-out triple.
The Hurricane had chances to score, stranding eight base runners in seven innings. Five different TU batters posted hits, including two hits apiece from junior Heather Hiar and sophomore Stacey Walkingstick. Senior Crissy Strimple and sophomore Stephanie Sliepen also contributed a hit apiece.
Freshman hurler Maren Genow (7-2) took the loss after striking out six WIU batters in six innings of work. Sophomore Lindsey Dyer pitched the final inning, with one strikeout. For the fifth consecutive game, the pitching staff did not allow a walk.
WIU grabbed an early 3-0 lead in the second game, thanks to a three-run burst in the first inning. Tulsa came back in the bottom half of the inning with a pair of runs as Strimple blasted a two-run homer to left center.
The Westerwinds added another run in the top of the fourth, setting the stage for more fireworks to come. Down 4-2, the Tulsa bats started to heat up in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Sophomore Holly Reynolds led off the fifth inning with a single. After two consecutive walks to load the bases with two outs, freshman Kelly Miller singled to the shortstop to score Reynolds. Walkingstick doubled through the left side scoring two more runs. Senior Brandi McGuire singled to left field to score two more runs to give the Hurricane a 7-4 lead.
Tulsa added three more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Hurricane led off with a pair of walks to Julie Shafer and Reynolds. After a third walk to load the bases with Stephanie Sliepen, Strimple hit a two-out single that cleared the bases.
Tulsa improves to 12-9 on the season, while Western Illinois falls to 7-10.
