Feb. 26, 2006

Box Score

Palm Springs, Calif. - The Pacific softball team suffered its first loss at the Palm Springs Classic, dropping an 8-5 decision to No, 10 Oklahoma on Saturday, February 25. With the loss the Tigers dropped to 6-7 overall and 3-1 in the tournament while the Sooners improved to 13-2-1 overall and 3-1 in the classic.

For the first time in the tournament, the Tigers found themselves down early, giving up two early runs in the top of the first inning. The Sooners were able to push across the runs as each of their first five hitters saw first base, posting three hits in the inning.

Down two quickly, Pacific immediately responded in the bottom half of the inning on the bat of senior Kristen Allen (Citrus Heights, Calif.). Allen doubled down the left field line with two runners on to even the score at two runs apiece.

The Tigers cracked the tie two innings later, posting a single run in the third inning to take their first lead of the game. A two out single through the left side by freshman Lauren Weyman (Carlsbad, Calif.) brought home junior Jennifer Curtier (Lancaster, Calif.) who singled to lead off the inning.

With a one run lead to protect, freshman Briana Santos (Garden Grove, Calif.) went to work, shuting out the Sooners in each of the next two innings. With the Tigers in a jam in the sixth, Santos was relieved by freshman Chelsea Engle (Folsom, Calif.) who immediately struck out the first batter she faced. Yet, with two outs and the bases loaded, the Tigers could not keep the Sooners from scoring as a defensive error gave Oklahoma two runs in the inning and the 4-3 lead.

Things went from bad to worse in the top of the seventh inning as Oklahoma was able to add four more runs to their total, taking a five run lead into the bottom of the inning and into the Tigers final at bat.

Down five and to their final strike, the Tigers tried to battle back against the No. 10 team in the nation headed by Allen's two strike, two out solo home run. Junior Lizzie Hagen (Anaheim, Calif.) followed with a double into right center and came around to score on a single by Weyman. However, that would be as close as the Tigers would get, grounding out to the pitcher to end the game.

On the day, Allen led the Tigers with her second 2-for-3, three RBI, outing of the day. Weyman finished at a 2-for-4 clip driving in two RBI as well. As a team the Tigers produced 10 hits for the game. Defensively, Santos went 5.1 innings, giving up five hits and four runs, two earned, while striking out two and walking three. Engle pitched 1.1 innings, relinquishing five hits and four runs, one earned, while striking out one and walking one. Santos picked up her first loss of the season to drop to 2-1 on the year.

For the Sooners, Norelle Dickson finished the game with four hits in five at bats, scoring twice while driving in one run. As a team, the Sooners knocked out 13 hits to score eight runs. In the circle, Nicole Denes picked up the win in relief of Stacey Braddock. Denes went 4.0 innnings while giving up six hits and two earned runs.

The Tigers will wrap up play at the Palm Springs Classic on Sunday, February 26, as they take on the Kansas Jayhawks at 11:00 am.