Tulsa
Oklahoma State
Last Inning Grand Slam Dooms TU
3/7/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 7, 2012
Final Stats l 
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TULSA, Okla. - The Tulsa softball team took a 3-2 lead into the seventh inning, but an Oklahoma State grand slam gave the visiting Cowgirls a 7-3 victory Wednesday night at Collins Family Softball Complex.
Junior shortstop Samantha Cobb led the way for the Golden Hurricane (14-4) with a three-run home run in the third inning. Junior centerfielder Caitlin Everett and sophomore third baseman Jill Barrettboth scored on the homer.
Junior designated player Lacey Middlebrookswas 2-for-2.
Chelsea Garcia hit the go-ahead grand slam for the Cowgirls (9-9), and Tarah Ettinger was 2-for-2 with a solo home run, two RBIs and two runs scored.
Ettinger put OSU on the board first with an unearned tally in the second inning following a throwing error by Cobb.
The Cowgirls were able to get the first two outs of the third inning, but Everett walked and Barrett singled through the left side to put two aboard. Cobb stepped up to the plate and blasted the first pitch she saw over the center field wall to give the home team a 3-1 advantage.
Both sides went scoreless until Oklahoma State was able to get one across in the sixth inning following a double down the left field line from Ettinger, which plated Kelsea Schultz.
The Golden Hurricane entered the final frame with a 3-2 lead, but sophomore starting pitcher Aimee Cregerwalked the bases loaded and was relieved by Middlebrooks. Her first pitch was hit over the left field wall by Garcia, and Ettinger added a solo shot to give OSU the 7-3 advantage.
Tulsa was unable to respond in the home half of the seventh.
Creger threw 6.1 innings and allowed five runs (four earned) on just two hits to take the loss. She struck out 14, walked 10 and threw exactly 150 pitches. Middlebrooks threw the final 0.2 innings and gave up two runs on two hits.
Kat Espinosa earned the win after pitching the final four innings. She gave up just one hit and no runs. Starting pitcher Simone Freeman gave up three runs on six hits.
Tulsa opens Conference USA action this weekend with a three-game set against UCF in Orlando. The two teams will play a doubleheader at noon March 10.
