May 22, 2011

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NORMAN, Okla. - Tulsa pushed No. 9 seed Oklahoma to the brink, taking the NCAA Norman Regional to the winner-take-all final in the championship round, but fell short in the finale, 5-0, Sunday afternoon at Marita Hynes Field.

Oklahoma took advantage of three hits, a walk, and an error to score five runs in the top of the third inning. Tulsa tallied five hits and loaded the bases in the fourth inning, but was unable to score any runs.

The Golden Hurricane concludes one of the most successful seasons in school history with a 46-15 record. TU won the Conference USA regular season championship, and its 46 wins are the second most in school history, while the 15 losses are the fewest in school history. The Hurricane also received votes in all three major polls and was awarded a No. 2 seed in its fourth NCAA Regional appearance.

Senior Jordan Kinard was outstanding in her final NCAA Regional, earning two wins in elimination situations, and allowing just one run in 15.1 innings over four games.

Sophomore center fielder Caitlin Everett, who had seven hits in the regional to raise her total to 79 for the season, broke the single season school hits record, previously held by Lauren Lindsay (2007-10), who had 76 in 2009.

Oklahoma led off the third inning with a walk, and after two outs, strung together three singles and a walk to score three runs, and added two more on a throwing error that went to the fence behind first base.

Tulsa fought through the loser's bracket after opening the tournament with a, 9-7, win over Missouri State Friday night, and falling to Oklahoma, 6-0, Saturday afternoon. The Golden Hurricane rebounded to eliminate Missouri State with an 11-0 victory Saturday night, and forced the deciding contest with a thrilling, 4-3, nine-inning win over the Sooners Sunday afternoon.

Tulsa 4, Oklahoma 3 (9 inn.)

Tulsa forced the deciding winner-take-all game with a comeback, 4-3, win in nine innings earlier Sunday.

For the full recap, click here.

For all Tulsa softball news and information, visit www.TulsaHurricane.com. Follow Tulsa Athletics on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/TulsaHurricane and Facebook at www.facebook.com/TulsaHurricane.

Oklahoma 5, Tulsa 0 (May 22, 2011 at Norman, Okla.) (Game 2)
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Oklahoma............ 005 000 0 -  5  7  0      (41-17)
Tulsa............... 000 000 0 -  0  6  1      (46-15)
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Pitchers: Oklahoma - Gascoigne, M and Norris, K.. Tulsa - Middlebrooks, Lacey;
CREGER, Aimee(3); KINARD, Jordan(4) and Bowen, Cassidy.
Win-Gascoigne, M(9-3)  Loss-MIDDLEBROOKS, Lacey(11-5)  T-2:06  A-880
Weather: 90, Ptly Cloudy, Wind SW@17mph