LAFAYETTE, La. –
Tulsa scored 5 early runs, then held off a late rally for an 8-7 victory over Jacksonville State on Sunday for the team’s first win of the season. The game was the Golden Hurricane’s final contest of the weekend at the 40th Annual Louisiana Classics in Lafayette, Louisiana.
Tulsa opened the game with a 1-0 lead thanks to a bases-loaded walk, but Jacksonville State responded in the bottom of the 1st inning with a three-run homer to take a 3-1 lead after one inning.
Tulsa exploded for five runs in the top of the 2nd, led by Claira Skaggs three-run triple, and held a 6-3 lead after two innings.
The Hurricane held a 6-4 lead in the fifth, before a fielding error and wild pitch increased Tulsa’s lead to 8-4.
Jacksonville State scored a run in the fifth, and two more in the seventh, before Tulsa’s defense shut the door on an 8-7 victory.
Maci Cole scored three runs and reached base five times on the afternoon. Annika Dill added a run and an RBI. Alexa Hopkins pitched four innings, allowing only two earned runs and striking out two batters, securing a win for her performance on the mound. Brinly Maples closed out game in the seventh for the save. The pitching staff combined for 5 strikeouts and allowed 8 hits over 7 innings.
Tulsa heads to Arlington next weekend for five more games including Iowa State, Wisconsin, and UT Arlington.