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Tulsa
Florida Atlantic (FIU Blue & Gold Classic)
Softball Splits on First Day of FIU Coca-Cola Classic
3/11/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 11, 2005
Manhattan Box Score | Florida Atlantic Box Score
Tulsa, Okla. - The University of Tulsa softball team split a pair of decisions on the opening day of the Coca-Cola Classic hosted by Florida International University. Tulsa defeated Manhattan, 6-0, to start the day before falling to Florida Atlantic, 3-2, in its final game of the day.
The Golden Hurricane broke open a scoreless game with a run in the bottom of the second inning. Sophomore Lindsay Galloway singled to right field with one-out, followed by a two-out, bunt single by junior Julie Shafer. Freshman Lindsey Tower recorded TU's third hit of the inning to score Galloway.
TU kept its one-run lead through the fifth inning, then began to add to it as junior Katie Torres recorded her first home run of the season. Freshman Sara Dyer followed Torres on the next pitch with a back-to-back homer, both going out to left field. The Hurricane added three more runs in the sixth inning as Shafer recorded a two out double down the left field line. She scored on a triple by Tower down the right field line. Senior Stacey Walkingstick's single to left then scored Tower. Advancing to second on the throw home, Walkingstick then scored TU's final run when Jaspar pitcher Kristin Gelsleichter threw past first base on a grounder by Torres.
Of TU's nine starting hitters, seven recorded at least one hit in the contest as TU recorded a season-best 12 hits in the game. Shafer finished 3-for-3, including her first double of the season. She is one of five TU hitters with 20 or more hits on the season. Tower, Walkingstick and Torres also posted two hits apiece.
Senior Lindsey Dyer recorded her fifth victory of the season for the Hurricane in a complete-game effort. She struck out 10 Jaspers while not allowing a walk and scattering four hits.
In the second game, the Hurricane came back from a 2-0 deficit to tie the contest in the fourth inning. The Owls scored a pair of runs in the third off a two-out single to left center. Tulsa quickly cut into FAU's lead with a single run in the bottom half of the stanza.
Shafer continued her hot bat by leading off the TU third with a bunt single. After being sacrificed over to second, she would score on a double by Walkingstick. Unfortunately, Walkingstick was one of six TU runners stranded in scoring position and one of three stranded at third base.
TU tied the game with another run in the bottom of the fourth as senior Stephanie Sliepen led off the inning with a single up the middle. Junior Kelly Miller followed by getting hit by a pitch, giving the Hurricane a pair of base runners. After a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners, sophomore Angela Osbon singled to score Sliepen. The Hurricane, however, left two more runners on base with only one out.
The Owls led off the seventh inning with a double down the left field line, then a sacrfice gave FAU the go-ahead run at third base. A single to left field by senior Candice Freel scored the winning run for FAU. Torres walked to open TU's half of the seventh, but FAU was able to get her out on a sacrifice attempt by Sara Dyer. Sliepen then lined into her second double-play of the game to end the contest.
Tulsa (12-15) was led by Shafer and Galloway who both posted two hits apiece. Walkingstick, Torres, Sara Dyer, Sliepen and Osbon also posted hits for TU. Sophomore Julie Fennell was saddled with the loss, even though she struck out 10 FAU batters in seven innings of work.
TU will continue pool play on Saturday with a 9 a.m. game against former TU standout Germaine Fairchild and the Quinnipiac Bobcats. Fairchild is the head coach of the Bobcats. Tulsa will conclude the day with a 5 p.m. contest against host Florida International. The Panthers are receiving votes in the USA Today/NFCA Coaches' Poll, ranked 34th.
