University of Toledo
OAKLAND
Toledo Splits with Oakland, 2-0 and 4-1
4/21/2005 12:00:00 PM | Softball
April 21, 2005
Toledo, OH - Toledo (23-23) could only muster one game from Oakland (6-32) today, as the Rockets split a twinbill with the Golden Grizzlies, 2-0 and 4-1. OU had been struggling in its last eight games to find a win, and in its 10th attempt finally found a victory. Sophomore RHP Stephanie Moore (11-12) hurled her second complete-game shutout this week, giving up five hits to Oakland in game one. OU's Laura Chomokus (3-13) allowed the Rockets to connect for a mere four hits in game two, as she rolled to her third win of the season.
Toledo broke open a scoreless game in the doubleheader opener after plating two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Two singles that inning and two stolen bases would put UT up by two, which the Rockets would hold on to for the 2-0 win.
With two outs in the fifth, sophomore CF Erica Singer singled up the middle and stole second, as sophomore RF Denise Van Vossen would single down the left field line to score Singer from second. Freshman Valerie Moxim's single into right field would plate Van Vossen, who stole second, while a ground out by junior C Jennifer Susman would end the inning.
Six different Rockets recorded hits in the victory, including Moxim (1-for-2, RBI), senior DP Kim Pettitt (1-for-2), freshman 1B Megan McCauley (1-for-3), senior 2B Kris Shultz (1-for-3), Singer (1-for-1, run scored) and Van Vossen (1-for-1, RBI, run scored).
Game two did not turn out as pretty for UT, as the Golden Grizzlies jumped on the Rockets quickly. Plating two runs in the top of the second off a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly, Oakland was bound to redeem itself in the nightcap.
After stranding three runners in the bottom of half of the second inning, Toledo found its groove in the bottom of the third to score its first run of the game. Junior SS Gina Muratori, who singled up the middle and stole second, was put into scoring position after Pettitt singled to left field. McCauley hit a sacrifice fly to right field to plate Muratori. A ground out to short stop by senior LF Kate Moxim left Pettitt's pinch runner, sophomore Lindsey Greer, stranded at third as the Rockets headed into the fourth inning.
Two hitless and scoreless innings were disrupted by Oakland's bats in the top of the sixth and seventh innings, as the Golden Grizzlies plated one run in each inning. With two outs and bases loaded in the sixth, Pettitt had a hard time finding the strike zone as she walked in OU's third run of the game. However, she worked herself out of the inning in a bases loaded situation to keep the Grizzlies from plating anymore runs.
The Rockets could not buy a hit in the sixth or seventh innings, while Oakland connected for one more in the seventh to plate their final run of the game. As Toledo tried to turn a double play off a grounder to second base, OU's Colores slid into UT's Muratori, who was injured on the play. Thelen seized the opportunity to head into home as Muratori was unable to get up to make the play.
The Golden Grizzlies' Chomokus took down the Rockets 1-2-3 in the seventh inning to take the 4-1 victory. Connecting for Toledo's four hits against the right-hander were Muratori (1-for-3, run scored), McCauley (1-for-1, RBI, walk), Singer (1-for-3) and Pettitt (1-for-2).
Pettitt (12-11) allowed six hits in her 7.0 innings of work for three earned runs while fanning six batters.
Toledo will return to conference action this weekend when it hosts Northern Illinois on Saturday-Sunday, April 23-24 for a three-game series. Games on both days are scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. from Scott Park.
