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Tulsa
Memphis (C-USA)
Tulsa Sweeps Memphis in C-USA Softball Action
3/25/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 25, 2006
Tulsa, Okla. - The University of Tulsa softball team kept its place atop the Conference USA standings Saturday with a double-header sweep of Memphis, 4-1 and 3-0, at the Donna J. Hardesty Sports Complex. The Golden Hurricane improves to 20-10 (7-1 C-USA) on the season, while the Lady Tigers fall to 17-13 (3-4 C-USA).
Memphis struck early in game one as freshman Leila Dolfo doubled to right field with one down in the first. After a fielding error by TU gave Memphis a pair of runners, a two-out bloop single to left by Kimberly Hayden loaded the bases. Another infield single, by Melissa Nance, pushed across the first run of the afternoon.
That would be all the Lady Tigers would score, as senior Maren Genow settled in, allowing only two more baserunners to reach second base for the remainder of the game.
Tulsa broke the game open in the fourth inning with a trio of runs. Freshman Jessica Barr doubled to right center, with one down, to start the rally. A single fellow freshman Stephanie Chomicki gave TU runners at the corners. Senior Kelly Miller laid down what appeared to be a sacrifice bunt, however no one from Memphis covered first, then a throw went in the dirt allowing the runners to advance. Barr scored on the play to tie the game.
Now with runners at third and second, junior Lindsay Galloway singled to left field, allowing Chomicki to score the go-ahead run. Miller would then score on a ground out from freshman Brooke Smart for TU's third run of the inning.
The Hurricane picked up an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning, as Miller recorded another infield single with one out. After Galloway singled up the middle, Smart doubled to center, allowing Miller to score from second.
Genow struck out a season-best 12 batters, in route to her 10 complete game of the season. She also walked two batters while scattering seven hits, three of which were in the first inning.
Seven Hurricane hitters recorded at least one hit, led by Miller and Galloway with two hits apiece.
The second game opened like a pitcher's duel as well, with neither team mounting much of a threat through the first two stanzas. However, TU struck first with two runs in the third. Galloway reached first on a fielding error by the Lady Tigers. Smart followed with her fifth home run of the season, a two-run shot to left field.
That would be all the run support junior Julie Fennell would need as she struck out five Memphis batters while picking up her second shutout of the season. The Lady Tigers stranded all four baserunners, with three of them reaching second base.
Smart added an insurance run in the fifth with a solo homer to center, her sixth on the season. She was 2-for-2 on the contest, drawing a walk to start the TU first inning. Barr also had a pair of singles for TU in the contest.
The two teams will conclude their series on Sunday with a 12 Noon contest at the Hardesty Complex. It will be Father-Daughter Day, as daughters will receive free admission when accompanied by their fathers with an adult ticket.
