March 26, 2011

Box Score | Box Score

GREENVILLE, N.C. - The Tulsa softball team split its doubleheader at East Carolina Saturday, falling in game one, 1-0 (10 inn.), before coming back to win, 5-3, in the second game at ECU Softball Stadium.

The Golden Hurricane (24-8, 7-1 C-USA) shook off a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat in the first game to score four runs in the top of the first on its way to a 5-3 win in game two.

Freshman Aimee Creger (12-1) pitched a complete-game, allowing just two hits, and struck out eight batters. She no-hit the Pirates for the final six innings. After giving up three runs on two hits and four walks in the first inning, she settled down to allow no more hits for the rest of the game.

Freshman left fielder Shelby Blanton had a two-run triple, while freshman third baseman Jill Barrett, sophomore designated player Lacey Middlebrooks and sophomore catcher Cassidy Bowen each got two hits for TU.

"Jordan pitched very well in the first game, and kept us in the game and kept giving us chances inning after inning," Tulsa Head Coach John Bargfeldt said. "It was huge to jump out in the second game with four runs after a frustrating 10 innings. We came back from a few walks in the first inning to hold them off, and made some huge defensive plays, especially by Samantha Cobb."

Sophomore center fielder Caitlin Everett led off the game with an infield single to third base and sophomore shortstop Samantha Cobb drew a one-out walk. Everett then stole third and scored on a throwing error by the catcher when Cobb took second on a delayed steal.

After junior second baseman Skylar Swanson reached on an error, allowing Cobb to cross the plate, Middlebrooks singled to right field. Senior right fielder Lauren Menke then reached on a bunt fielder's choice and Blanton tripled to left center, scoring Middlebrooks and Menke.

In the fifth inning, Barrett led off with a double to right center and scored after consecutive ground outs, giving Tulsa an insurance run to make the score, 5-3.

East Carolina began the bottom of the first with three walks, and after a strikeout, got consecutive singles to score two runs. A bases-loaded walk scored the third run for the Pirates.

"We got a big insurance run (in the fifth inning) when Jill doubled off the right center field wall, and she moved around to score. That was an important run that gave us a little breathing room," said Bargfeldt.

ECU starter Faith Sutton (6-5) allowed three earned runs on nine hits with a walk and eight strikeouts in the loss.

The Golden Hurricane and Pirates play the series rubber match Sunday at 10 a.m. CT.

ECU 1, Tulsa 0 (10 inn.)

After nine-and-a-half scoreless innings, East Carolina pushed a run across in the bottom of the 10th inning, to take game one, 1-0.

For full recap, click here.

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