Tulsa
Alabama
Crimson Tide Stops Softball's Win Streak
3/17/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 17, 2004
Tuscaloosa, Ala. - The University of Alabama used a three run fourth inning to break open a close ball game in route to beating Tulsa, 4-0, at UA Softball Complex on Tuesday night in a single, non-conference contest. The game was part of a nine-day road trip for the Golden Hurricane, who will face Jacksonville State on Wednesday afternoon at 4 p.m., in Jacksonville, Ala.
Senior Heather Hiar was the offensive spark for TU, going 2-for-3 on the night. Tulsa did post four hits, while holding Alabama's high-powered offense to just five hits. Sophomore Julie Shafer and junior Holly Reynolds also recorded hits for the Hurricane.
Junior Ami Day started the contest for TU, working three-and-a-third innings while striking out three Crimsion Tide batters and walking none. She was however credited with all four runs and the loss, drawing her season record even at 5-5. Sophomore Maren Genow finished the fourth inning and pitched all of the fifth inning, posting three strikeouts in the six batters faced. Freshman Julie Fennell pitched the sixth inning not allowing a hit and striking out one.
Alabama's Erin Wright kept TU off-balance all night, striking out 11 Hurricane hitters. She improves to 10-1 on the season, while the Tide won its 15th straight game to improve to 24-3 on the year. Tulsa is now 21-9 overall.
The Crimson Tide and the Golden Hurricane aren't the fiercest of rivals but the only other meeting between the two schools was an historic one. In 1997 the Crimson Tide and the Golden Hurricane got together for the first softball game in Alabama history, with the Tide winning 5-2.
Tulsa will conclude the road trip at the Georgia Tech Buzz Classic beginning Friday, Mar. 19, with a contest against Georgia State at 3 p.m. The Hurricane will also face Bowling Green at 8 p.m., on Friday. On Saturday, TU will play Eastern Illinois at 1 p.m. and North Carolina State at 5 p.m. The Hurricane has never played any of the three teams before this season. Earlier in the year TU defeated NC State, 8-0, at the USF/Best Western All-Suites Hotel Tournament in Tampa, Fla.
The Hurricane will return to the friendly confines of the Donna J. Hardesty Sports Complex on Wednesday, March 24, for a single game with Oklahoma State. TU then opens Western Athletic Conference play by hosting Louisiana Tech on Saturday, March 27.
