TU Splits Double Header with Memphis

The Golden Hurricane mounted a comeback in the first game, but were unable to repeat in the second.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 11:36 am

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Mar 27, 2010 4:18 PM CDT

Stephany Speck and Gerald Goodridge
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

TULSA, Oklahoma -- The Tulsa Golden Hurricane split a conference-opening double header

Memphis (14-1, 3-3 C-USA) was the first on the board. Leigh Rowan hit a single and Maddie McKinley followed with a home run, putting the Tigers up 2-0.

Tulsa (17-12, 3-1 C-USA) tried to answer back in the bottom of the inning, but instead racked up two pop flies before Samantha Cobb was thrown out while trying to steal.

Pitcher Jackie Lawrence struggled in the second, loading the bases with only one out as Lelani Bernardino stepped up to the plate.

Bernardino singled, hitting Alyssa Palmieri home.

Lawrence battled back, striking out the next two hitters.

The Golden Hurricane opened the bottom of the second with a home run by Cassidy Bowen, putting TU on the scoreboard. They trailed the Tigers 3-1 to begin the third inning.

Defense was key for TU in the top of the third inning. McKinley popped out to Cobb, earning the Golden Hurricane’s first out, Vanessa Walle grounded out Skylar Swanson, and Keanah Prestridge was thrown out at first.

TU fought back in the bottom of the fourth to take the lead. Vice reached first after being walked. Christian Timmons singled to left field, sending Vice to second. Jessica Stoelke struck out, but Lauren Menke followed with a homer to center field, driving home Vice and Timmons to put the Golden Hurricane up 4-3.

Memphis reclaimed the lead in the top of the fifth, McKinley hit a line drive to left field, while Walle followed by striking out. Prestridge grounded out, but McKinley was able to advance to second. Kailey Kassner, hitting for Palmieri, singled to center field and reached second base, while McKinley scored.

Palmieri took second for Kassner, and advanced to third on a wild pitch by Lawrence. The Golden Hurricane then fell behind 5-4 as the Tigers put an additional run on the board to end the inning.

Tulsa once again answered back, tacking on two RBI in the bottom of the sixth to recapture the lead, 7-5.

The Tigers were unable to respond in the top of the seventh, as Tulsa claimed its first conference win at home.

The second game was dominated Memphis pitcher Vanessa Walle, who pitched all seven innings, only surrendering six hits and only one earned run. The Tigers’ hurler also drove in four runs on two two-run home runs, one coming in the second and one in the fourth.

Mistakes also plagued the Golden Hurricane, leaving nine on base and allowing Memphis to score a run in the sixth innings by hitting Maddie McKinley with a pitch to bring Lelani Bernardino home.

Tulsa’s only run of the nightcap came in the bottom of the seventh inning on a Cobb solo home run.

The Golden Hurricane and Memphis decide the season series in Tulsa Sunday at noon.