Cowgirls Split First Two Games of Florida Tournament

Originally Published: Mar 19, 2010 11:22 PM CDT

Corey DeMoss
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

TAMPA, Florida – The OSU softball team split two low-scoring games with Dartmouth and Maryland Friday as part of The Game Tournament.

The Cowgirls defeated Dartmouth 4-2 in the first game of the day, but had to escape from what could have been a messy first inning. Dartmouth loaded the bases, and OSU starter Sarah Odom hit the next batter to bring in the game’s first run. Odom managed to pitch out of the ensuing jam, and that was the only run she gave up in three innings of work.

OSU tied the game in the second on an RBI double by Chelsea Garcia, and the Cowgirls added two more in the fourth inning to take their first lead of the day. Taylor Marcum pitched in relief of Odom for the rest of the game and earned in the win.

In the day’s second game, OSU fell to Maryland 2-1 because of a costly mistake. With two outs and runners on second and third, Julie Ward overthrew Alysia Hamilton and allowed both runners to score. The error gave the Terrapins’ the lead, and pitcher Kerry Hickey finished the game to seal the win.

The loss to Maryland ended OSU’s eight-game winning streak, and the Cowgirls will try to get back on the right track with two more games Saturday – at 9 a.m. against Florida-Gulf Coast and 2 p.m. against tournament host South Florida.