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Tulsa
Wichita State
Walkingstick Shocks WSU With Big Stick in TU Softball Split
4/1/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 1, 2003
Wichita, Kan. - The University of Tulsa softball team split two games with the Shockers of Wichita State in a non-conference double-header at Wilkins Stadium on Tuesday afternoon. WSU won the first game 5-4, while TU won the nightcap 6-0.
The Golden Hurricane held a 4-3 lead going into the bottom of the seventh, but could not make the most a 4-for-4 performance by sophomore shortstop Stacey Walkingstick. The Shockers scored two runs on a wild pitch with two outs and a full count on the batter.
Walkingstick broke open a 1-0 game with a three-run home run to left center, giving the Hurricane a 4-0. Battling Hurricane-like wind gusts, Walkingstick also posted a double and two singles to go along with two putouts and three assists, defensively. With five hits on the day, she extends a five-game hitting streak as well. It was the fourth time this season a Hurricane batter recorded four hits in a contest. Senior Brandi McGuire has posted four hits twice this season, while fellow senior Danielle Olsen has also posted four hits in a game this year.
Freshman Maren Genow pitched the first five innings of the contest for TU, striking out five Shocker batters and walking only one. Sophomore Ami Day pitched the final five outs for TU in the loss. Day falls to 9-7 on the season.
Tulsa's bats posted double-digits in hits for the 23rd time this season, with 11. The loss was the first time this season the Hurricane lost when recording more hits than its opponent, as the Shockers posted 10 hits in the game.
In the night cap, the Hurricane scored first again with two runs in the top of the fourth inning. Olsen opened the top of the fourth with a single, and then advanced to second on a fielder's choice by fellow senior Crissy Strimple when the WSU dropped the throw. Walkingstick recorded her fifth hit of the day with a single to score Olsen and Strimple, giving TU a 2-0 lead.
Tulsa added a run in the top of the fifth inning. Junior Heather Hiar hit a one-out single and advanced to second on a sacrifice by senior Kyla Malone. Olsen singled up the middle to score Hiar, giving TU a 3-0 lead.
The Golden Hurricane added three more insurance runs in the top of the sixth, as freshman Katie Torres led off the inning with a single. Walkingstick hit into a fielder's choice, advancing to second on a McGuire single. Senior Ashlea Montgomery pinch ran for McGuire, as both runners scored on a throwing error by the WSU shortstop. Freshman Kelly Miller scored TU's final run from second base on a single by fellow freshman Julie Shafer.
Wichita State opened the bottom of the seventh with a double to centerfield, however could not score. Following a called third strike for the first out, Strimple caught a line drive at third base and threw the runner out at second for a game-ending double-play to preserve TU's 11th shut out of the season.
Tulsa (24-14) returns to the friendly confines of the Donna J. Hardesty Sports Complex on Wednesday for another non-conference double-header. The Hurricane will host the Bears of Southwest Missouri State with first pitch scheduled for 4 p.m.
