Tulsa Sweeps Softball in Doubleheader on a Rainy Saturday

April 17, 2010

TULSA, Okla. - The University of Houston softball team dropped both games in the Tulsa doubleheader on a rainy Saturday afternoon at Hardesty Complex. Houston falls to 23-21 (8-9 Conference USA) on the season as Tulsa improves to a 24-17 (6-5 C-USA) record.

GAME ONE

Tulsa 8, Houston 4

After Katy Beth Sherman and Mary Tyler Dobson drew back-to-back walks, Reina Gaber blasted a three-run homer - the second of her career - to put Houston up 3-0 with only one out in the first inning. With another set of walks by Brooke Lathan and Angela Spittler, the Cougars occupied first and second. Jennifer Klinkert then popped to second before Lathan was thrown out at the base on the double play.

In the third inning, Gaber belted another hit, this time down the left side to safely reach first. She then shifted to second when Lathan reached on a fielding error by Cassidy Brown. With two outs on the board, Klinkert batted Gaber in with a double down the left line. Ashleigh Jones followed with a walk to load the bases. Houston's scoring threat ended when Holly Anderson popped up to the pitcher.

Tulsa threatened in the fourth when Lauren Lindsay and Samantha Cobb drew back-to-back walks. The duo advanced to third and second, respectively, when Vanessa Vice grounded out to second base. Amanda Crabtree pulled through with a strikeout to end the scoring threat.

Lathan hit a single up the middle, and Spittler walked to get on base in the fifth inning. The two got in scoring position when they both advanced to third and second on a wild pitch. However, Jones flied out to left field, ending the inning.

The Golden Hurricane came back to tie the game 4-4 in the bottom of the frame as they took advantage of five hits and three errors. The runs marked the first time Tulsa has scored against the Cougars in 20 innings.

Tulsa took a commanding lead in the following inning as Cobb belted a two-out grand slam - her third of the season - to put the Golden Hurricane up 8-4, sealing the win.

Crabtree (9-10) received the loss despite pitching a solid first four innings of play. The Kingwood, Texas native struck out seven batters and walked four over seven innings of work. Gaber led the Cougars, going 2-for-4 with two runs and three RBI.

GAME TWO

Tulsa 7, Houston 1

Holly Anderson scored the first run of the game in the third inning. After reaching on a throwing error by Cassidy Brown, she advanced to second on an illegal pitch. Katy Beth Sherman grounded out to the pitcher, allowing Anderson to reach third. Mary Tyler Dobson batted her in with a single to right-center field.

Tulsa answered back in the bottom of the frame when Caitlin Everett singled to left field, stole second and advanced to third when Brooke Lathan was called for interference for blocking the base path. She plated a run when Lauren Lindsay reached on a fielder's choice.

In the fourth inning, Ashleigh Jones reached on a bunt single and advanced to second on Sherman's sacrifice bunt. The freshman centerfielder was left stranded after back-to-back strikeouts retired the inning.

The Golden Hurricane proceeded to score six additional unanswered runs over the next three innings. Houston's last hope came in the seventh inning when Anderson struck out swinging but reached first on a wild pitch. She advanced to second when Sherman grounded out to the pitcher. Dobson singled to the shortstop, giving the Cougars two-base occupancy. Unfortunately their opportunity to score was cut short when Tulsa retired the next two batters to end the game.

Bailey Watts (10-8) received the loss after striking out seven batters and walking five in seven inning of work. Dobson went 3-for-4 with an RBI to lead the team.

Upcoming Events

Recent Results