Friday, May 12
Tampa, Fla.
11 AM
Tulsa
25-26
2
vs
1
Wichita State
43-10
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
R
H
E
Tulsa
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
2
7
0
Wichita State
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
5
0
Golden Hurricane Upsets #20 Wichita State 2-1 in Extra Innings to Advance to Conference Title Game
5/12/2023 5:07:00 PM | Softball
Tulsa will face UCF in Saturday’s championship on ESPN2
Box Score (PDF)
TAMPA, Fla. – The No. 4 seed University of Tulsa knocked off the top-seeded Wichita State Shockers 2-1 in eight innings in the semifinal of the American Athletic Conference Softball Championship Friday afternoon at USF Softball Stadium.
"I am so proud of these girls," Tulsa head coach Crissy Strimple said. "They continue to take the field with a determination and will to compete. Maura (Moore) was outstanding today against a great offense. She continued to make good pitch after good pitch and the defense behind her was solid all game long.
"Our hitters did a great job of providing opportunities and being aggressive on the bases. This team is made up of talent and fight, and we are excited to play for the championship."
Tulsa (25-26) will play in its fifth The American Championship final and first since 2018. The Hurricane is 3-1 in AAC finals. In its first finals appearance in 2015, Tulsa fell to UCF 1-0. TU responded with three straight championships in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Wichita State dropped to 43-10 on the season with the loss.
The teams were tied at the end of every inning except for the final frame on Friday. When Tulsa scored to take a 1-0 lead in the third, the Shockers equaled the score in the bottom of the frame. Claira Skaggs finally put Tulsa up for good in the top of the eighth with a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Imani Edwards from third.
Making her second start in the circle in as many days, Maura Moore (15-12) was brilliant once again. The sophomore kept a potent Wichita State offense off balance all game. She tossed a complete eight innings while allowing just one run on five hits. Once again, she didn't need to overpower the Shockers with strikeouts, only fanning two, but instead forced weak contact.
After playing the hero in yesterday's win, Kailyn Bearpaw had another big day at the plate, going 4-for-4. None may have been bigger than her bunt single that somehow stayed fair in the top of the eighth to move Edwards to third. Edwards' lone hit came on a leadoff double in the eighth. She'd later score the winning run thanks to Skaggs' sacrifice fly.
Haley Morgan drew a pair of walks, stole a base and scored a run. MacKenzie Denson and Kylee Nash both singled and Rylee Keith and Abby Jones both walked.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Golden Hurricane struck first in the top of the third inning. Morgan drew a walk with one out and then moved to second thanks to an infield single from Denson. The speedy left fielder was able to beat out a chopper to the pitcher.
Then, Edwards hit a hard ground ball that seemed destined for the outfield before a fantastic diving play from the Shockers shortstop and then flip to second retired Denson. Morgan, however, didn't stop running as she rounded third and went for home. She slid in perfectly around the catcher, beating the throw and putting Tulsa up 1-0.
Wichita State responded in the bottom of the frame. Back-to-back pop ups followed a leadoff single and it looked as if Tulsa might escape with no damage. The runner on first stole second to get herself in scoring position and a single up the middle leveled the score at 1-1.
From there it was a mixture of fantastic pitching and great defense, as neither team could find a breakthrough. Tulsa had a golden opportunity in the sixth with runners on first and third and one out. Keith ripped a line drive, but unfortunately was right at the Wichita State shortstop, who snagged the line drive and fired back to first to double off the Hurricane.
The two teams went to extras with the score still tied at one. Edwards led the eighth with a double in the gap to right-center. Then Bearpaw came through with her fourth hit of the day on a bunt single to advance Edwards to third. The ball bounced in front of the play and stopped almost just in fair territory, putting runners on the table and setting the table for Skaggs. The Tulsa third baseman got ahead 3-1 in the count before hitting a high fly ball to left. It was deep enough to bring in Edwards with no throw, and Tulsa took the 2-1.
There was still work to do in the bottom of the frame as Moore had to face the top of the Shockers' lineup, including leadoff hitter and The American Player of the Year Sydney McKinney. She retired McKinney on a softly hit line drive to Edwards for the first out.
A bunt single with one out got a Shocker on base. Keith and Edwards combined for a spectacular play to nab the runner as she attempted to steal second. The throw was on time and Edwards caught the ball while moving to her left, leaping and turning at the same time to tag the runner before she could slide in safely.
The Shockers didn't go down easily, though. The batter ripped a single to right and then the next was hit by a pitch, putting the tying run at second. Moore got the final batter to hit a fly ball to center on the first pitch. Morgan settled under it and made the out, giving Tulsa the upset win 2-1.
NOTES
» Tulsa improves to 13-4 in American Athletic Conference Championship games and 28-12 all-time in conference tournament play.
» The Golden Hurricane is now 5-1 in The American semifinal games.
» This was Tulsa's second extra innings game in a The American Championship game, falling to ECU 4-3 in eight innings in 2019.
» With the loss, this is the first time the No. 1 seed won't make the championship game in The American Softball Championship history ... the 2020 and 2019 finals were not played due to Covid in 2020 and weather in 2019.
» The Hurricane moves to 28-37 against Wichita and 6-2 in neutral site games ... Tulsa finishes the 2023 season with a 1-3 record against the Shockers.
» With the win, Tulsa is 5-1 this season in games tied after six innings and 1-2 in extra innings.
» In her past four starts, Moore has only allowed a combined three runs and 11 hits ... she tossed complete games in all four appearances, tossing 27.0 innings.
NEXT UP
The Golden Hurricane will compete in the finals of the 2023 American Athletic Conference Softball Championship against the No. 2 UCF Knights. First pitch is set for 10 a.m. on Saturday and the game will air on ESPN2.
UCF enters Sunday's contest with a 38-19 record. The Knights dispatched No.3 South Florida 2-0 in their semifinal on Friday afternoon. In its opening round game against No. 7 Memphis, UCF scored seven unanswered, including four in the bottom of the sixth, to overcome a 4-0 deficit and win 7-4.
The Knights and Hurricane met at the Collins Family Softball Complex in mid-April with UCF taking two of three off Tulsa. UCF won game one 8-1 and the finale 13-1 in five innings. In Saturday's game, TU scored one in the sixth and three in the seventh to walk-off the Knights 5-4.
The series between the two teams is tight, with Tulsa holding a 28-26 advantage all-time against UCF. The Hurricane won the only neutral site meeting, defeating the Knights 6-1 in Greenville, N.C. in 2011 when the pair were members of Conference USA. The teams are 1-1 against each other in The American Softball Championship games.
Updated Tournament Schedule (All Times Central)
May 11-13 | USF Softball Stadium | Tampa, Fla.
Thursday, May 11 – First Round
Game 1: No. 4 Tulsa – 3, No. 5 Houston – 2
Game 2: No. 2 UCF – 7, No. 7 Memphis – 4
Game 3: No. 3 South Florida – 7, No. 6 East Carolina – 0
Friday, May 12 – Semifinals
Game 4: No. 1 Wichita State – 1, No. 4 Tulsa – 2 (8 Inn.)
Game 5: No. 2 UCF – 2, No. 3 South Florida – 0
Saturday, May 13 – Championship Game
Pregame Show – 9:30 a.m. (ESPN+)
Game 6: No. 4 Tulsa vs No. 2 UCF – 10 a.m. (ESPN2)
TAMPA, Fla. – The No. 4 seed University of Tulsa knocked off the top-seeded Wichita State Shockers 2-1 in eight innings in the semifinal of the American Athletic Conference Softball Championship Friday afternoon at USF Softball Stadium.
"I am so proud of these girls," Tulsa head coach Crissy Strimple said. "They continue to take the field with a determination and will to compete. Maura (Moore) was outstanding today against a great offense. She continued to make good pitch after good pitch and the defense behind her was solid all game long.
"Our hitters did a great job of providing opportunities and being aggressive on the bases. This team is made up of talent and fight, and we are excited to play for the championship."
Tulsa (25-26) will play in its fifth The American Championship final and first since 2018. The Hurricane is 3-1 in AAC finals. In its first finals appearance in 2015, Tulsa fell to UCF 1-0. TU responded with three straight championships in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Wichita State dropped to 43-10 on the season with the loss.
The teams were tied at the end of every inning except for the final frame on Friday. When Tulsa scored to take a 1-0 lead in the third, the Shockers equaled the score in the bottom of the frame. Claira Skaggs finally put Tulsa up for good in the top of the eighth with a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Imani Edwards from third.
Making her second start in the circle in as many days, Maura Moore (15-12) was brilliant once again. The sophomore kept a potent Wichita State offense off balance all game. She tossed a complete eight innings while allowing just one run on five hits. Once again, she didn't need to overpower the Shockers with strikeouts, only fanning two, but instead forced weak contact.
After playing the hero in yesterday's win, Kailyn Bearpaw had another big day at the plate, going 4-for-4. None may have been bigger than her bunt single that somehow stayed fair in the top of the eighth to move Edwards to third. Edwards' lone hit came on a leadoff double in the eighth. She'd later score the winning run thanks to Skaggs' sacrifice fly.
Haley Morgan drew a pair of walks, stole a base and scored a run. MacKenzie Denson and Kylee Nash both singled and Rylee Keith and Abby Jones both walked.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Golden Hurricane struck first in the top of the third inning. Morgan drew a walk with one out and then moved to second thanks to an infield single from Denson. The speedy left fielder was able to beat out a chopper to the pitcher.
Then, Edwards hit a hard ground ball that seemed destined for the outfield before a fantastic diving play from the Shockers shortstop and then flip to second retired Denson. Morgan, however, didn't stop running as she rounded third and went for home. She slid in perfectly around the catcher, beating the throw and putting Tulsa up 1-0.
Wichita State responded in the bottom of the frame. Back-to-back pop ups followed a leadoff single and it looked as if Tulsa might escape with no damage. The runner on first stole second to get herself in scoring position and a single up the middle leveled the score at 1-1.
From there it was a mixture of fantastic pitching and great defense, as neither team could find a breakthrough. Tulsa had a golden opportunity in the sixth with runners on first and third and one out. Keith ripped a line drive, but unfortunately was right at the Wichita State shortstop, who snagged the line drive and fired back to first to double off the Hurricane.
The two teams went to extras with the score still tied at one. Edwards led the eighth with a double in the gap to right-center. Then Bearpaw came through with her fourth hit of the day on a bunt single to advance Edwards to third. The ball bounced in front of the play and stopped almost just in fair territory, putting runners on the table and setting the table for Skaggs. The Tulsa third baseman got ahead 3-1 in the count before hitting a high fly ball to left. It was deep enough to bring in Edwards with no throw, and Tulsa took the 2-1.
There was still work to do in the bottom of the frame as Moore had to face the top of the Shockers' lineup, including leadoff hitter and The American Player of the Year Sydney McKinney. She retired McKinney on a softly hit line drive to Edwards for the first out.
A bunt single with one out got a Shocker on base. Keith and Edwards combined for a spectacular play to nab the runner as she attempted to steal second. The throw was on time and Edwards caught the ball while moving to her left, leaping and turning at the same time to tag the runner before she could slide in safely.
The Shockers didn't go down easily, though. The batter ripped a single to right and then the next was hit by a pitch, putting the tying run at second. Moore got the final batter to hit a fly ball to center on the first pitch. Morgan settled under it and made the out, giving Tulsa the upset win 2-1.
NOTES
» Tulsa improves to 13-4 in American Athletic Conference Championship games and 28-12 all-time in conference tournament play.
» The Golden Hurricane is now 5-1 in The American semifinal games.
» This was Tulsa's second extra innings game in a The American Championship game, falling to ECU 4-3 in eight innings in 2019.
» With the loss, this is the first time the No. 1 seed won't make the championship game in The American Softball Championship history ... the 2020 and 2019 finals were not played due to Covid in 2020 and weather in 2019.
» The Hurricane moves to 28-37 against Wichita and 6-2 in neutral site games ... Tulsa finishes the 2023 season with a 1-3 record against the Shockers.
» With the win, Tulsa is 5-1 this season in games tied after six innings and 1-2 in extra innings.
» In her past four starts, Moore has only allowed a combined three runs and 11 hits ... she tossed complete games in all four appearances, tossing 27.0 innings.
NEXT UP
The Golden Hurricane will compete in the finals of the 2023 American Athletic Conference Softball Championship against the No. 2 UCF Knights. First pitch is set for 10 a.m. on Saturday and the game will air on ESPN2.
UCF enters Sunday's contest with a 38-19 record. The Knights dispatched No.3 South Florida 2-0 in their semifinal on Friday afternoon. In its opening round game against No. 7 Memphis, UCF scored seven unanswered, including four in the bottom of the sixth, to overcome a 4-0 deficit and win 7-4.
The Knights and Hurricane met at the Collins Family Softball Complex in mid-April with UCF taking two of three off Tulsa. UCF won game one 8-1 and the finale 13-1 in five innings. In Saturday's game, TU scored one in the sixth and three in the seventh to walk-off the Knights 5-4.
The series between the two teams is tight, with Tulsa holding a 28-26 advantage all-time against UCF. The Hurricane won the only neutral site meeting, defeating the Knights 6-1 in Greenville, N.C. in 2011 when the pair were members of Conference USA. The teams are 1-1 against each other in The American Softball Championship games.
Updated Tournament Schedule (All Times Central)
May 11-13 | USF Softball Stadium | Tampa, Fla.
Thursday, May 11 – First Round
Game 1: No. 4 Tulsa – 3, No. 5 Houston – 2
Game 2: No. 2 UCF – 7, No. 7 Memphis – 4
Game 3: No. 3 South Florida – 7, No. 6 East Carolina – 0
Friday, May 12 – Semifinals
Game 4: No. 1 Wichita State – 1, No. 4 Tulsa – 2 (8 Inn.)
Game 5: No. 2 UCF – 2, No. 3 South Florida – 0
Saturday, May 13 – Championship Game
Pregame Show – 9:30 a.m. (ESPN+)
Game 6: No. 4 Tulsa vs No. 2 UCF – 10 a.m. (ESPN2)
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Moore, Maura (15-12)
L: HOWELL, L. (18-4)
Batting:
2B: Edwards, Imani 1
RBI: Skaggs, Claira 1
SH: Skaggs, Claira 1
SF: Skaggs, Claira 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Morgan, Haley 1 ; Edwards, Imani 1
SB: Morgan, Haley 1
Batting:
RBI: LUCAS, L. 1
SH: BARNARD, A. 1
Base Running:
RUNS: NELSON, K. 1
SB: LUCAS, L. 1 ; NELSON, K. 1
CS: BARNARD, A. 1
HBP: JONES, Z. 1
Game Leaders
rf/ph
AB
4
R
0
H
4
RBI
0
AB
4
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
4
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
dp/ph
AB
4
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
IF
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IF
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IF
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