Jan. 14, 2009

TULSA, Okla. - The University of Tulsa softball team was picked to finish third in the 2009 Conference USA preseason poll, while sophomore pitcher Jordan Kinard was named preseason Pitcher of the Year and Kinard and junior outfielder Lauren Lindsay were named to the all-conference team in a vote by the league's coaches, the conference office announced Wednesday.

The Golden Hurricane, which received one first place vote, was tabbed third behind defending conference champion and NCAA Super Regional participant Houston, and East Carolina. UCF rounded out the top four selections announced by the league office.

"Being recognized by the other coaches as one of the top teams in the conference is an honor," Tulsa Head Coach John Bargfeldt said. "What it shows us is that we are in a position to compete for a conference championship and that is what we always strive for here."

In 2008, Tulsa tallied a 34-25 overall record and a 14-10 mark in C-USA play, finishing third in the conference standings. TU bowed out of the conference tournament in the first round, but earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Regional for the first time in school history, and its second appearance in the NCAA postseason.

In 2008, Lindsay led the team with a .360 batting average, 46 runs scored, 46 RBI, 64 hits, 22 doubles, 15 home runs, a .451 on-base percentage, a .747 slugging percentage and did not commit an error in 40 chances from her outfield position. She set or tied six school single season records in home runs, runs scored, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, total bases (133) and fielding percentage (1.000). She also finished second in RBI and batting average. Lindsay was named to the All-Conference USA First Team in 2008.

Kinard, a 2008 All-C-USA Second Team and C-USA All-Freshman Team selection, turned in one of the best freshman campaigns as a pitcher in school history. She paced the Golden Hurricane with a 14-6 record, 1.94 earned run average in 144.0 innings, 26 appearances and 23 starts. She pitched 16 complete games and five shutouts, giving up 89 hits, 51 runs - 40 earned - and struck out 143 batters to 70 walks. She became the second pitcher in school history to throw two no-hitters in a single season and the first TU player to pitch a no-hitter in a Conference USA game. Kinard set a school record with a .175 opponent batting average.

"Jordan had an outstanding freshman campaign," Bargfeldt said. "Preseason picks a lot of times are based on what you did last year, and she is striving to come back even better this year. Lauren had an outstanding year for us last season. She is the type of player who just wants to get better every year. She is well-deserving of first-team all conference."

Since Bargfeldt's arrival at TU, the Hurricane has won one Conference USA regular season and tournament championship in 2006, and made the NCAA Regional twice, in 2006 and in 2008. Bargfeldt is the first softball coach in Tulsa history to post winning records in each of his first three seasons.

Tulsa begins its season Feb. 6-8 at the 2009 Texas A&M Aggie Classic, where it opens against Texas-San Antonio at 10:30 a.m. on Feb. 6. Tickets for the 2009 Golden Hurricane softball season are now on sale through the TU Athletics Ticket Office and can be obtained by calling (918) 631-GoTU, or by visiting the Tulsa Athletics website at www.TulsaHurricane.com.

Tulsa Softball

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