Tulsa Softball Concludes Kick-Off Classic With Shutout

TU starter Lacey Middlebrooks managed to pitch out of three bases-loaded jams to keep Penn scoreless.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:13 pm

By: News On 6

Tulsa Softball Concludes Kick-Off Classic With Shutout

Originally Published: Feb 20, 2011 1:7 PM CDT

Corey DeMoss
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Tulsa softball team wrapped up play at the FAU Kick-Off Classic with its second straight shutout Sunday, a 3-0 victory over the University of Pennsylvania.

Tulsa (5-5) starter Lacey Middlebrooks got into trouble early, walking a batter to load the bases in the top of the first inning. But Middlebrooks struck out Lisa Akamine to end the threat, marking the first of several times she managed to pitch herself out of a mess.

The Golden Hurricane responded with an RBI groundout by Aimee Creger in the bottom of the first to take a 1-0 lead.

Middlebrooks got into trouble again in the top of the third, walking a batter to load the bases with two outs. But once more, she managed to retire Akamine to avoid a big inning. And again, Tulsa responded with a run in the bottom of the frame, this time on an RBI single by Cassidy Bowen.

Continuing the trend, Middlebrooks walked a batter to load the bases a third time in the top of the fourth. But she managed to retire the next batter yet again, this time inducing a ground ball by Kailyn Johnson to end the inning.

Skylar Swanson led off the bottom of the fourth with a home run to give Tulsa a 3-0 lead and chase Penn starter Jackie Hill from the game. It was smooth sailing for the Golden Hurricane from there.

Middlebrooks struck out three batters in the fifth before being relieved by Creger in the sixth. Creger was coming off a no-hitter the day before and pitched two more innings without surrendering a hit to clinch the win.

The win gave Tulsa an overall record of 3-2 at FAU Kick-Off Classic and brought the team back to .500 for the season. The Hurricane’s streak of tournaments to start the season will continue when it travels to Arlington, Texas, to take part in UT-Arliington Classic starting at 1 p.m. Friday against Creighton.