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Tulsa
Louisiana Tech
Softball Sweeps Louisiana Tech in WAC Doubleheader
4/26/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 26, 2003
Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score
Tulsa, Okla. - Sophomore shortstop Stacey Walkingstick once again provided game-winning heroics for The University of Tulsa softball team on Saturday afternoon. With one out, Walkingstick beat out an infield hit to second base, forcing a late throw that went past the first baseman, freshman Kelly Miller was able to score the game-winning run in a 1-0 TU victory in the first game. A crowd of 529 witnessed the Western Athletic Conference sweep, as Tulsa won the second game 2-1 at the Donna J. Hardesty Sports Complex.
Louisiana Tech had many chances to score in the first game, beginning with the first inning. Leadoff hitter Brittany Stanley singles to left field, followed by Amber Miles reaching safely on a throwing error by TU on a sacrifice attempt. With runners at the corners and no outs, the Tulsa defense stiffened at senior Crissy Strimple fielded the next hit and alertly tagged Stanley diving back to third for the first out. Starter Ami Day then forced the Lady Techsters to hit in to a double play as freshman Julie Shafer caught a line drive at second base and tossed to first.
The Golden Hurricane picked up two hits in the first inning, but would not score. TU would not get another hit until freshman Katie Torres hit a single to open the seventh inning. Tech opened the third stanza with a lead-off triple by Amiee Coleman. However, the Hurricane defense stepped up again to maintain the shutout.
In the seventh inning, TU saved off another Lady Techster threat as Tech stranded two more runners on base, with one out. Torres opened TU's half of the stanza with a single through the right side. Senior Brandi McGuire then sacrificed Torres to second. After Miller pinch ran for Torres, Walkingstick hit a ground ball to the right side. LTU's Mary Cohn fielded the ball cleanly, however the throw was late and wide, getting past Allison White at first base, allowing Miller to score.
Day picked up her 13th win on the year, as well as her 15th complete game and ninth shutout of the season. Torres recorded two of TU's four hits, as Walkingstick and Stephanie Sliepen had the other two hits for the Hurricane.
Tulsa scored first in the second game with a two-out, two-run home run by Walkingstick in the fourth inning. Torres singled to open the inning, leading up to Walkingstick's third home run of the season.
The Lady Techsters cut the deficit in half quickly, by scoring in the top half of the fifth inning. Stanely led off with an infield single, then stole second base. Miles then singled to right field, allowing Stanley to score. Miles advanced to third on a ground out but would not score as TU closed out the threat.
Louisiana Tech threatened one last time in the top of the seventh, as Stanley reached on a one-out infield single. After advancing to second on a passed ball, Miller caught Stantley trying to steal third base. Miles then grounded out to first base on the next pitch to end the game.
Tulsa improves to 31-23 on the season and evens its WAC record to 6-6. Freshman Maren Genow improves to 14-7 on the year. The sweep not only clinches the season series against La. Tech (3-2) for the Hurricane, it also moves TU in to a third-place tie with the Lady Techsters in the WAC standings.
Tulsa will conclude the home portion of its 2003 schedule on Friday, May 2, and Saturday, May 3, with a four-game series against Nevada. Friday's doubleheader is set to begin at 6 p.m., while Saturday's twin bill is scheduled for 4 p.m.
