Tulsa Splits Day One at FAU Kick-Off Classic

The Tulsa Golden Hurricane struggled against Penn State’s pitching, but managed to beat Mass. in extra innings to split its first two games.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:12 pm

By: News On 6

Tulsa Splits Day One at FAU Kick-Off Classic

Originally Published: Feb 18, 2011 4:39 PM CDT

Stephany Speck
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

BOCA RATON, Florida -- The Tulsa Golden Hurricane (2-5) split their first two games of the FAU Kick-Off Classic Friday, after falling to Penn State and beating Massachusetts.

Tulsa dropped its first game against Penn State, 3-1. Jordan Kinard threw all seven innings for the Golden Hurricane, allowing six hits. Despite striking out 10 Penn State batters, the Nittany Lions were able to notch their first run in the third inning when Desi Giordano hit a homer off Kinard. In the next inning, Lisa Akamine hit a single to bring in Shannon Hutchingson. Penn State tacked on one more run in the same inning to bring the score to 3-0. Penn State’s Jackie Hill also threw seven innings, striking out six TU batters and holding the Golden Hurricane scoreless until the final inning when Keri Leach hit a homer to put her team on the board for their only run.

The team shifted momentum in game two, when it rallied back to beat Massachusetts, 3-1. The two teams remained tied 1-1 after the third inning, taking the game into extra innings. Tulsa tacked on two additional runs in the top of the ninth to end the game and snag its first win of the tournament. Caitlin Everett hit a single, which was bobbled by Massachusetts’ Audrey Boutin, allowing TU’s Shelby Blanton to score and bring the game to 2-1. Everett was hit home just two batters later when teammate Samantha Cobb hit a single up the middle. The Golden Hurricane’s Lacey Middlebrooks earned the win after pitching 6.2 innings, allowing six hits and striking out four batters. Massachusetts’ Lindsey Webster pitched all nine innings, allowing seven hits for the loss.

The Tulsa Golden Hurricane will face Michigan Saturday morning at 8 a.m., followed with a game against Long Island at 10 a.m.