Tulsa Softball Rolls Past Providence

Seniors Julie Kernen and Erica Sampson each drove in three runs to lead the 22nd-ranked Tulsa softball team to a 10-0 victory over Providence Sunday at the FAU Strike Out Cancer Tournament at FAU Softball Stadium.

The Golden Hurricane (7-3) exploded for 10 runs on 14 hits to win its third game in a row, and second straight by 10-0 score. TU also defeated Drexel, 10-0, Saturday afternoon. Eight different hitters recorded hits for the Hurricane Sunday, paced by Kernen's 4-for-4, three RBI effort, and Sampson's 3-for-4 line with three RBI and three runs scored.

Senior Bailey Erwin (4-0) and freshman Emily Watson combined to pitch a three-hit shutout. Erwin tossed 4.1 innings, tallying six strikeouts, and allowing three hits and a walk. Watson came in and threw a perfect final 2.2 innings with five strikeouts.

Sampson led off the game with a base on balls and moved around to score on an RBI single by junior Catherine Horner. Sophomore Maggie Withee led off the second inning with a base hit through the right side, and sophomore Brittany Walker followed with a walk. Sampson then tripled the baserunners home with a shot to center, and scored on Kernen's single through the left side of the infield.

Kernen launched a two-run homer to left field in the fourth inning, extending Tulsa's lead to 6-0. The Hurricane added four runs in the top of the seventh to make the score 10-0. Freshman Shelby Estocado, who entered in the fifth for Walker, hit a three-run triple to start the scoring. The hit scored sophomore Maddie Withee, freshman Kate Myers and junior Jocelyn Sheffield. Sampson then singled home Estocado for the 10th TU run.

The Friars put runners on first and second base in the first and the third innings. Third baseman Shanelle Harrell singled in both innings. Right fielder Nicole Lundstrom followed with a walk in the first stanza and a base hit in the third. In the first inning, Erwin got a strikeout and a groundout to end the frame, and followed Lundstrom's single in the third inning by retiring the final five batters she faced. Providence starter Taryn Braz allowed three runs in one-plus inning, and took the loss for the Friars (0-5).

The Golden Hurricane returns to action next weekend at the Baylor Invitational. TU will play No. 2 Oregon, No. 9 Baylor, North Texas and Abilene Christian on Friday and Saturday.