University of North Texas Athletics
Mean Green Softball Closes Out Play In OU/Nike Classic
2/20/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Norman, Okla. (2/20/05) - The North Texas softball team lost in extra-innings to Creighton, 1-0, and then dropped a 5-1 decision to No. 14 Oklahoma on Sunday, Feb. 20 in second-day action at the OU/NIke Classic. The Mean Green concluded play in the tournament with an 0-5 record despite two one-run games.
The Mean Green (1-10) lost to Creighton, 1-0, in eight innings in NT’s first game of the day. Freshman Kristina Fowler took the loss despite pitching seven shutout innings, striking out 11 batters and giving up one unearned run. She spread out six hits over seven innings before giving up a double in the seventh inning that scored the winning run. The extra-inning loss was NT’s second of the season.
North Texas tied OU, 1-1, in the second inning after giving up an unearned run in the bottom of the first. Freshman Katya Muller hit a sacrifice fly to center field that scored sophomore Kelei Walker from third. The run batted in was Muller’s first of her career. The Sooners scored a run in the fourth to regain the lead and then added to it with runs in the fifth and sixth innings.
Sophomore Katy Maxey was left stranded on second in the sixth inning after recording her first hit of the 2005 season and the 11th double of her career. Walker and senior Stephanie Cranmer both singled in the fourth inning, but the Mean Green was unable to hit them home.
North Texas had opportunities to score in the Creighton game but was unable to dent the plate. NT had runners on first and second with one out in the third inning after singles by sophomores Christen Jonse and Marquita Adams before Fowler hit into a double play to end the inning. The Mean Green had the bases loaded in the fifth inning after Susan Waters and Jonse walked and senior Brittiny Chapman posted a pinch-hit single. Creighton forced two strikeouts and one pop-up to escape unharmed.
In the top of the eighth inning, Creighton was able to score the runner placed on second, but Adams was left stranded on third for the Mean Green.
Sophomore Heather Bostic and Cranmer led the Mean Green offense with five hits each in the tournament.
North Texas returns to action on Tuesday, Feb. 22 with a 3 pm game against Stephen F. Austin at Nacagdoches.
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