Temple University Athletics
Sooners Topple Owls in Final Game of the OU Residence Inn Invitational
3.4.07 | Softball
March 4, 2007
NORMAN, OK - Sophomore Courtney Norene turned in a perfect 2-for-2 performance offensively for second-year head coach Casey Dickson, but the Temple softball team (0-8) couldn't overcome eight first inning runs by #6 Oklahoma (22-0) in a 21-0 loss on Sunday afternoon on day two of the OU Residence Inn Invitational.
Freshman pitcher Shannon James tossed 1.1 innings while allowing two earned runs in a no-decision effort. Sophomore Morgan Hudsonpillar (4-0) pitched just three innings and struck out one en route to her fourth win of the season.
For the third time in four games, Dickson sent junior Brianna Dairy to the hill for the Owls. But, the Abilene, Texas native lasted just two outs into the top half of the first after surrendering eight runs, three of them earned, on five hits.
Freshman Amber Flores and senior Norelle Dickson each posted two-run doubles while senior Jamie Fox knocked in two more with a single to centerfield during the eight-run first frame. In relief of Dairy, James induced a ground ball off the bat of senior Amber Spaulding before escaping the inning.
The Cherry and White thrice left one runner on base in the second, third and fourth innings. Norene was left stranded after she led off the second with an infield single while junior Amanda Carver was left standing on third at the conclusion of the third frame.
The Sooners continued to flex their offensive prowess with a 12-run third inning on seven hits. Spaulding knocked in two runs with a double before junior catcher Susan Ogden launched a three-run homerun.
After Carver reached base on an error and junior Brittany Burks singled through the left side, the Owls looked prime to score their first of the afternoon run with runners at the corners and two outs. However, junior hurler Jadyn Smith completed the shutout after freshman Ashley Smuda grounded out to third base.
Burks and Carver each collected one hit apiece for the Owls.
The Cherry and White will return to Philadelphia briefly before taking to the air again for DeLand, Fla. and the Stetson University Tournament from Friday, March 9 to Sunday, March 11. The Owls open the three-day slate against North Florida at 2:00 p.m. on Friday before playing host Stetson at 7:00 p.m. Mount St. Mary's and Bethune-Cookman round-out the five-team tournament.
