Tulsa
North Carolina State (Best Western All-Suites Hotel Tourn.)
Softball Finishes Third at USF/Best Western All Suites Tournament
2/22/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 22, 2004
Tampa, Fla. - The University of Tulsa exploded for eight runs in the final two innings of a 8-0 run-rule victory over North Carolina State to capture third place at the USF/Best Western All Suites Tournament in Tampa, Fla., on Sunday.
After leaving the bases loaded in the top of the first inning, and stranding five base runners in the first three innings, the Golden Hurricane sent nine batters to the plate in the fourth and fifth innings. Sophomore Julie Shafer got the TU scoring started with a leadoff single in the fourth. After advancing to second on a sacrifice by fellow sophomore LeeAnne Pepper, Shafer scored TU's first run on a double by freshman Lindsay Galloway. Galloway would then score on a triple by senior Heather Hiar. Junior Stacey Walkingstick recorded TU's fourth hit of the inning with an infield single to score Hiar. Following a stolen base, junior Stephanie Sliepen singled home Walkingstick from second base to give the Hurricane a 4-0 lead.
Much like the fourth inning, the fifth inning started with Shafer reaching first safely. This time she was awarded first base after being hit by a pitch. Following a steal by Shafer and a single by Pepper, Galloway beat a bad throw from the pitcher to first base, allowing Shafer to score. Junior Holly Reynolds then singled up the middle to score Pepper. A walk by Walkingstick loaded the bases for TU with one out. Sliepen drove home two runs with a single to shallow right field for the final margin of 8-0.
Freshman Julie Fennell pitched all five innings for TU to earn her second victory on the season and first collegiate shutout. She struck out three Wolfpack batters while walking none and scattering four hits.
Tulsa (9-4) will open its home schedule on Friday, Feb. 27, by hosting the Holiday Inn Select-Tulsa Festival. Six teams will compete in the round-robin tournament, including Centenary, Saint Louis, UAB, Texas Tech and Drake. Tickets for the tournament are $5 a day for adults and $3 for children. TU students receive free admission with a valid TU ID card.
