Softball Tops UConn, 8-0, in Series Opener

Friday, May 6

Collins Family Complex

5 p.m.

Tulsa

30-18, 0

UConn

19-29, 0

UConn

Tulsa

Photo by: Dave Crenshaw

Softball Tops UConn, 8-0, in Series Opener

5/6/2016 7:26:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: Eric Hollier

Box Score

TULSA, Okla. – Sophomore Emily Watson pitched a one-hitter, and Tulsa jumped out to a 5-0 lead after two innings as it cruised to an 8-0 (5 inn.) win over UConn Friday to open its American Athletic Conference series at the Collins Family Softball Complex.

Junior third baseman Maggie Withee went 3-for-3 and scored a run, while junior left fielder Maddie Withee went 2-for-3, and had one run and one RBI to lead the Golden Hurricane (30-18, 7-9 American). The Withee twins accounted for five of Tulsa's 10 hits. Freshman second baseman Morgan Neal and freshman right fielder Julia Hollingsworth each drove in two runs.

Watson (11-8) tallied seven strikeouts in the 5.0-inning complete game shutout, and allowed just one single and a walk. UConn starter Jill Stockley (9-12) allowed five earned runs on nine hits in 4.1 innings for the Huskies (19-29, 4-10 American).

"It's been a long time since we've said we won all phases of the game," Tulsa Head Coach John Bargfeldt said. "That's what I've been waiting to see. When you go out and win two of the three phases, you have a great shot of winning, and when you win all three, you're probably not going to lose very often at all. I'm proud of the team. It's been a long battle. That's the type of game that we saw a lot in the first two-thirds of the season, and hopefully that's what we're looking forward to seeing for the rest of the season."

Tulsa loaded the bases in the first inning, and capitalized by scoring three runs. Maggie Withee led off with a single to right center, and then a fielder's choice by senior catcher Catherine Horner, a walk to Hollingsworth, and a single up the middle by Estocado loaded the bases. Maddie Withee singled home Maggie, and Neal drilled a single down the third base line to plate Horner and Estocado, giving the Hurricane a 3-0 lead.

Hollingsworth's two-run double down the left field line in the second inning made the score 5-0. Maggie Withee got things started with a one-out single, and was safe at second on Horner's fielder's choice grounder, leading to Hollingsworth's opposite field hit.

The score held until the fifth, when TU plated three runs to close out the game. Maddie Withee rifled a one-out double to left center and Neal drew a walk. Freshman designated player Rylie Spell reached on a fielder's choice grounder when the pitcher's throw to third base got away and allowed Withee to score. Freshman first baseman Tori Stafford grounded out to third, allowing Neal to score, and senior center fielder Jodi Edmiston beat out an infield single to plate pinch runner Kaitlin Allen and end the game.

The second game of the series is set for 3 p.m. Saturday at the Collins Family Softball Complex.

Follow Tulsa Softball on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/TulsaSoftball and Facebook at www.facebook.com/TulsaWSoftball. Follow Tulsa Athletics on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/TulsaHurricane and Facebook at www.facebook.com/TulsaHurricane.

Tulsa 8, UConn 0 (May 06, 2016 at Tulsa, Okla.)
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UConn............... 000 00 - 0 1 1 (19-29, 4-10)
Tulsa............... 320 03 - 8 10 0 (30-18, 7-9)
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Pitchers: UConn - STOCKLEY, Jill; DOTY, Kayla(5) and DUBOIS, Jacklyn. Tulsa - WATSON, Emily and
HORNER, Catherine.
Win-WATSON, Emily(11-8) Loss-STOCKLEY, Jill(9-12) T-1:32 A-212
Weather: 81 Fair, Wind SSE @ 10 mph