East Carolina University
Tulsa
Tulsa Tops East Carolina 8-0 In Five Innings
April 02, 2016 | Softball
Box Score | Tulsa 8, East Carolina 0 
TULSA, Okla. - The East Carolina softball team fell to Tulsa 8-0 in five innings in the middle game of an American Athletic Conference series Saturday at the Collins Family Softball Complex.
The Golden Hurricane (25-7, 4-1 AAC) claimed the series after downing the Pirates (18-20, 0-5 AAC) Friday evening.
A trio of Tulsa batters collected two hits apiece as part of a 10-hit effort from the Golden Hurricane while senior outfielder Nicole Cheek posted ECU's only base knock of the contest in the first inning. The Pirates did hold TU without a home run in the game after surrendering three yesterday.
Emily Watson (8-6) tossed a complete-game shutout with three walks and nine strikeouts while junior RHP Lydia Ritchie allowed a run on one hit with two walks and a strikeout in 2.2 innings of work.
How it Happened: After East Carolina was retired in order in the top of the first, Maddie Withee drove in the first run of the game by reaching on a fielder's choice with the bases loaded. Cheek led off the top of the second with a single to center before stealing second base with one out. Junior outfielder Ciara Ervin then drew a walk before Watson escaped the inning with a pair of strikeouts. Tulsa added to its lead in the bottom of the third via a two-out double off the bat of Shelby Estocado and tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the fourth to pull ahead 4-0. ECU was not able to score in the top of the fifth, setting the table for the Golden Hurricane to score four runs on five hits in the home half to seal the win.
Bits and Pieces: East Carolina fell to 11-20 overall against the Golden Hurricane and 3-12 in Tulsa ... Sophomore Kerry Butler earned her first start of the campaign and started at second base ... ECU dropped to 1-7 on the road while the Golden Hurricane improved to 7-0 at home ... The Pirates were blanked for sixth time this season while they have shut out six opponents themselves ... East Carolina moved to 4-10 when allowing a first-inning run ... Sophomore third baseman Karlie Smith had a 16-game streak of reaching base safely come to an end.
Up Next: The Pirates look to avoid the series sweep when they take on Tulsa Sunday at 1 p.m.
