Creger's 13 Strikeouts Leads TU Softball Past Arkansas

The University of Tulsa softball team defeated Arkansas 6-1 behind Aimee Creger's 13-strikeout performance on Wednesday at the Collins Softball Complex.

Creger (9-1) went the distance pitching 7.0 innings giving up one run on five hits with three walks. Her 13 strikeouts was the eighth double-digit strikeout game this season.

Shortstop Jill Barrett led TU at the plate with a 2-for-4 performance at the top of the lineup, while catcher Catherine Horner led Tulsa with two RBIs.

No. 20 Tulsa (21-3) took an early 1-0 lead over Arkansas (19-6) in the bottom of the first inning after left fielder Jodi Edmiston's RBI single that drove in second baseman Shelby Blanton.

The Golden Hurricane added three runs in the bottom of the third inning to take a 4-0 lead. After a ground out to start the inning, designated player Erica Sampson and first baseman Jill Roye both walked to put runners on first and second with one out.

After a fly out for the second out in the inning, center fielder Cierra Hughes hit a single up the middle to drive in Sampson for a 2-0 lead. Horner doubled to left center to drive in Emma Horton, who pinch ran for Roye, and Hughes for a 4-0 lead.

Arkansas scored its only run in the game in the top of the fourth inning to cut Tulsa's led to 4-1, but the Golden Hurricane scored two more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take a 6-1 lead.

Right fielder Haley Henshaw started the inning with a single up the middle, followed by Barrett's RBI triple that brought home Henshaw for a Tulsa 5-1 lead. After a strikeout, Sampson singled off the pitcher to drive home Barrett for the final run of the game.

Kasey Fagan (3-1) took the loss for the Razorbacks pitching 2 2/3 innings, giving up four runs on five hits with four walks, while Grace Moll pitched the final 3 1/3 innings, giving up two runs on three hits with two walks. Five Arkansas players each recorded one hit each. Chloe Oprzedek drove in the only run, while Ashley Martindale scored the only run.

The Golden Hurricane starts the Conference USA schedule this weekend as Tulsa travels to Huntington, W. Va., to face Marshall with a doubleheader on Saturday starting at noon.