University of Tulsa
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UTEP
Fennell Strikes out 16, Hurricane Sweeps
5/1/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 30, 2005
Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score
El Paso, Texas - The University of Tulsa broke three school records and tied a fourth in a pair of Western Athletic Conference wins over UTEP on Saturday at Helen of Troy Stadium in El Paso, 6-1 and 5-2. Sophomore Julie Fennell struck out a school-record 16 in the nightcap, while it was also the most strikeouts the Hurricane staff has thrown in a game. On the season Fennell has thrown 163 strikeouts, the most in the program's history. Senior Stacey Walkingstick also tied the record for most sacrifice hits in a single year with her 22nd.
TU got off to a quick start in game one with three runs in the first inning. Junior Julie Shafer opened the game off with a single to left field. After a sacrifice bunt by Walkingstick, she advanced to third on a single by senior Stephanie Sliepen. Sliepen stole second then went to third on a throwing error by the Miner catcher. Shafer scored on throwing error as well. Junior Katie Torres picked up an RBI on a single to rightfield that scored Sliepen. She was able to advance to second on a fielding error by the rightfielder. Torres was then able to score on a single to center by freshman Lindsey Tower.
UTEP came back with a run of its own in the bottom of the first off TU starter Maren Genow. However the junior was able to keep the Miners off the scoreboard the rest of the way by striking out two and scattering only three hits. The Miners recorded only six base runners, stranding four of them.
Tulsa added insurance runs in the sixth in seventh innings. Freshman Sara Dyer posted her first collegiate triple to start the sixth. She would score on a sac fly by sophomore Angela Osbon. In the seventh, Sliepen recorded a one-out single, then scored from first on a single by Torres. Torres scored on an error by the UTEP leftfielder on a single by Tower.
TU kept the pressure going in the nightcap by scoring first again with a run in the opening stanza. It was the 26th time this season the Hurricane scored first and the 13th time TU scored in the first inning. Tulsa is 20-6 and 11-2, respectively in those games.
Shafer led off the game with a single, then advanced to second on a sacrifice by Walkingstick. After stealing third base, she scored on a throwing error by the UTEP catcher. Tower led off the second inning with a single as well, however was stranded at third.
Tulsa took a 4-0 lead with three more runs in the third. Osbon opened the inning with a single. A walk from Shafer advanced Osbon to second. A single by Walkingstick would load the bases with no outs. Following an out, Torres would double to right field to score Osbon and Shafer. Walkingstick was thrown out at the plate following a rundown, which allowed Torres to go to third. Torres would score on a single by Tower.
After stranding three runners in scoring position in the first three innings, UTEP finally was able to get on the scoreboard with a single and a two-run homer in the fourth inning. Fennell would strike out the next three batters to end the inning. It was second time in the game she struck out three batters in an inning, she would accomplish that feat twice more during the game as well.
Tulsa added an insurance run in the seventh after Sliepen drew a two-out walk. She scored on Torres' second double of the game.
Tower led the Hurricane with five hits on the day, while Torres posted five RBI. The Hurricane's 12 hits in the first game tied a season-high for the squad. The 21 hits on the day were also the most for a doubleheader this year for the Hurricane.
For Fennell, it was the fifth time this season she has recorded 10-or-more strikeouts. It was the first time TU has won the game, however. She now owns four of the top five strikeout performances in school history, with all four coming this season. Earlier in the month she struck out 15 San Jose State batters in a 12-inning loss at SJSU.
Tulsa and UTEP will conclude their series with a single game at 2 p.m. on Sunday. The Hurricane will try to sweep the season series with the Miners for the second consecutive season as TU currently owns a 6-0 advantage in the all-time series with UTEP.
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