Oklahoma State University Athletics
Sanchez Powers Oklahoma State Past UTSA, 7-6
February 11, 2007 | Cowgirl Softball
Kim Kaye led off the inning with a single. She stole second and scored on a single by Cruce. Sanchez followed with her game-winning two-bagger. Sanchez also homered in the third inning and finished the game 2-for-2 with three RBIs.
Oklahoma State improved to 3-1 on the season and advanced to tomorrow's championship game.
The Cowgirls jumped out to a 5-2 lead. OSU scored four runs in the bottom half of the first after falling behind 2-0. Shanel Scott led off the game with a triple and scored on a base hit by Lauren Kitchens. OSU loaded the bases and scored three more runs on two walks and a hit batter.
UTSA took the lead in the fifth inning when cleanup hitter Jessica Rogers delivered a grand slam. A Cowgirl error opened the door for the Roadrunners, which ended a string of 10 consecutive hitters retired by OSU starter Chelsey Barclay. Barclay loaded the bases and Rogers cleared them, to chase Barclay from the game.
Jessica Hoppock came on in relief and shut down the UTSA offense to retire the final eight outs of the game. The Cowgirl offense finally broke through in the seventh inning after being held scoreless over the final three-plus innings.
Kaye went 3-for-4 for Oklahoma State, and Scott added two more hits for the Cowgirls. Courtney Totte added two hits as well.
OSU advances to the championship game where it will face seventh-ranked Alabama tomorrow at 1:30. Alabama run-ruled the Cowgirls, 13-0, during the round robin portion of the tournament.
