Golden Hurricane Opens Conference Play with 9-1 Win Over Houston in Five innings

Friday, March 25

Collins Family Softball Complex

5:00 PM

Tulsa

12-17, 1-0

Houston

16-16, 0-1

Houston

Tulsa

Golden Hurricane Opens Conference Play with 9-1 Win Over Houston in Five innings

3/25/2022 9:12:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

Gamebook (PDF)

Tulsa, Okla. – After getting held in check for the opening half of the game, the University of Tulsa's offense exploded for nine runs in two innings to walk-off the Houston Cougars 9-1 in five innings at the Collins Family Softball Complex on Friday evening.

Tulsa improves to 12-17 and 1-0 in The American Athletic Conference, while Houston falls to 16-16, 0-1 in AAC play.

The Golden Hurricane scored its nine runs on eight hits and committed zero errors, leaving five on base. Houston had one run on three hits and committed two errors, both on the game's final play. Rylee Keith finished 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs to lead Tulsa, while Haley Morgan finished 2-for-3 with an RBI and was also hit by a pitch.

Tulsa led 6-1 headed into the bottom of the fifth inning. Keith led off the frame with a double to left center and advanced to third on a single from Abby Jones. Imani Edwards grounded out but brought Keith in to score to give Tulsa a 7-1 advantage.

Gracie Jarvis stepped up for her first plate appearance of the night and dropped a bloop single into right for her first hit of the season, putting runners on the corners. A groundout to the pitcher kept Jones from scoring but did move the potential game ending run to second.

This brought up Morgan with an opportunity to win the game. She hit a groundball to short that the shortstop couldn't handle, allowing Morgan to reach first safely and Jones to score. Jarvis took off for third on the misplay, and the shortstop tried to get the out, but her throw was wild, and Jarvis continued home to score the clinching run.

The Hurricane gained its massive lead thanks to a six-run fourth. It started with the leadoff hitter for the inning, Kylie Norwood, who singled up the middle for Tulsa's first hit of the game. Celeste Wood singled to put two on, and then Kailyn Bearpaw got them both in scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Keith smashed a single off the wall in right center, scoring both runners to put Tulsa up 2-0.

Another single forced a change of pitchers, and then a walk loaded the bases for MaKayla Jackson, who was hit by a pitch, bringing in the third run of the inning. With two away, Morgan hit a hard ground ball up the middle that bounced off the leg of the pitcher, making it impossible for the second baseman to make a play at first. Edwards scored and Jarvis was hustling the whole way, coming around to slide just under a tag at home, and suddenly Tulsa led 5-0.

Back-to-back walks scored the sixth run and Houston brought in its third pitcher of the inning, who finally put an end to the scoring. The Cougars scored its only run on a solo home run in the top of the fifth before Tulsa put the game away.

Samantha Pochop (7-7) recorded her ninth complete game of the season. The senior hurler only allowed three hits and one run, walked one and struck out four batters.

Hannah Todd (4-5) was the starter for Houston and took the loss. She didn't allow a hit through the first three innings before Tulsa finally broke through in a big way. She finished with three strikeouts and no walks. The Cougar gave up four hits and four runs, all earned.

The Hurricane and Cougars will meet again on Saturday afternoon for game two of the three-game series. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. at Collins Family Softball Complex. Saturday's game and the rest of Tulsa's home conference games will feature on ESPN+.