Tulsa Lead Slips Late in 3-2 Loss

Sunday, March 24

Denton, Texas

12:00 p.m.

Tulsa

19-11, 0

North Texas

18-12, 0

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Tulsa	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	2	3	2
North Texas	0	0	0	0	0	2	1	3	6	2

Tulsa Lead Slips Late in 3-2 Loss

3/24/2024 3:23:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

DENTON, Texas – The Golden Hurricane was beaten in walk-off fashion for the third time this weekend as Tulsa saw its lead slip away in the final two innings of a 3-2 loss to North Texas at Lovelace Stadium on Sunday.

With two outs in the bottom of the seventh and a runner on second, the Mean Green sent the runner on a base hit to left field. MacKenzie Denson came up throwing and beat the runner, but after a lengthy review the umpires judged there was obstruction at home plate, scoring the game-winning run.

North Texas completes the sweep and improves to 18-12 and 8-1 in The American, while the Golden Hurricane moves to 19-11 and 5-4 in the conference.

Alex Hopkins (0-3) took the loss. She came on in relief in the sixth and allowed three hits and one run, which went unearned. Kylee Nash had the start and continued the trend of Tulsa pitching on the weekend with a strong 5.2 innings of work. She allowed three hits and two runs while striking out three and walking four.

The Hurricane had three hits in the loss. Haley Morgan smashed a solo home run in the fifth for her second of the season. Kailyn Bearpaw also had an extra-base hit, driving home a run with a double in the fourth. Imani Edwards had Tulsa's only other hit of the game.

NORTH TEXAS 3, TULSA 2
For the first time on the weekend, it was Tulsa who struck first. Abby Jones drew a walk to lead the fourth inning and quickly advanced to second. With one out, Jones took off on a ground ball, the throw went to third and beat her, but the third baseman obstructed on Jones' ability to get to the bag, resulting in a first and third situation for Tulsa. Kailyn Bearpaw doubled to left center to bring in Jones for Tulsa's first run of the weekend.

The Hurricane extended its lead in the fifth. Senior center fielder Haley Morgan started the inning and drove a 2-1 pitch to dead center for her second home run of the season to give Tulsa a 2-0 lead.

North Texas put together a two-out rally in the sixth inning to tie things up. A double gave the Mean Green some life. After a walk and a pitching change, the hosts put together a double steal to get both runners in scoring position. This move paid off as an infield single and throwing error scored both runners to tie the game.

After Tulsa went scoreless in the seventh, the Mean Green had the chance to win the game. Just like last inning, UNT did everything with two outs. Another double put the winning run in scoring position. A pinch runner came in for speed. On the single through the left side, the batter was off immediately. Although Denson's throw beat the runner, the path of the ball carried Maci Cole into the basepath. The runner was called out initially, but after review, the play was ruled as obstruction and North Texas took the 3-2 win.

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Tulsa	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	2	3	2
UNT	0	0	0	0	0	2	1	3	6	2

» Tulsa falls to 19-11 on the season and 5-4 in The American.
» The Hurricane is now 9-9 against North Texas all-time.
» Third straight game with a North Texas walk-off.
» Haley Morgan hit her second home run of the season.
» Kailyn Bearpaw collected her seventh double of the year.

The Golden Hurricane has no midweek game but will return to the Collins Family Softball Complex for a series against UAB. Because of Easter Weekend, Tulsa and UAB will play Thursday, Friday and Saturday. First pitch for Friday's game is at 5 p.m. and all three games will air on ESPN+.