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Sooners Sock Softball Twice in NCAA Regional

Harvard soars over Eagles, ousted by Oklahoma

Harvard's lack of offensive production againstOklahoma may have inspired the Crimson thefollowing afternoon. Harvard busted out for 11runs on a season-high 16 hits to demolish itscrosstown rivals.

Harvard was led by Franzese's 4-for-4 day,including two singles and two doubles, andTeller's 3-for-5, three-RBI performance.

Senior pitcher Tasha Cupp (17-5) picked up thefinal win of her fine collegiate career. The IvyLeague Pitcher of the Year gave up just three hitsand two unearned runs while striking out three infive innings of work. Thoke pitched the sixth andseventh to pick up her fourth save of the season.

"We didn't hit very well on Friday, and thatmade us hungry against B.C," Franzese said. "I waspleased. All of our bats came alive against B.C.,and I was excited about that."

Boston College jumped out to a 2-0 lead in thebottom of the fourth when sophomore Chris Vicarisent a two-out, two-RBI single into center. TheEagles' lead, however, would be short-lived as theCrimson scored three times in the top of thefifth.

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Harvard's first run came across the plate whenFranzese scorched a one-out double into center toscore sophomore Crystal Springer from second.Sophomore Deborah Abeles followed with a walk, andFranzese came in on a double by Teller. Abelesscored the eventual game-winner when seniorHillary Read reached on a throwing error by B.C.pitcher Lauren Fischetti.

But Harvard was not done. The Crimson chasedFischetti in the seventh with an eight-run scoringbarrage. Following a single and another B.C. errorto open the frame, Harvard scored three runs onfour consecutive singles to increase its advantageto 6-2.

Thoke contributed a two-RBI single later in theinning, and LaSovage and Franzese followed withconsecutive RBI doubles. Teller closed out theonslaught with a single into center that platedFranzese.

Oklahoma 3, Harvard 0

The Sooners made sure that there would be nomiraculous finish to Harvard's season with anothershutout victory in the Regional semifinal.Harvard's bats once again could not catch up toOklahoma's pitching, as the Crimson mustered justfour hits against Sooners' junior pitcher SophiaContreraz.

Senior pitcher `Heather Brown (3-7) took theloss for Harvard in her final collegiateappearance, allowing two runs on five hits in fourand one-third innings. Cupp capped off her careerwith two strikeouts, four hits and one run allowedin two and two-thirds innings of relief.

"All of our pitchers pitched well thisweekend," Franzese said. "Oklahoma is definitely astrong team, and they hit the ball well. They didwhat they had to do to win."

Oklahoma scored the only runs it would need inthe top of the fifth. Clark led off the inningswith a single and moved to second on a sacrificebunt by Hargrave. Freshman LaKisha Washingtondrove Clark in with a single to center.

After Washington moved to third, fellowfreshman Mandy Fulton executed a successfulsqueeze play to score Washington and extendOklahoma's lead to 2-0. The Sooners added aninsurance run in the seventh when freshman LisaCarey came around to score on a two-out double byfreshman Ashli Barrett.

Harvard's only scoring threat of the game camein the bottom of the sixth. With one out, Franzesedoubled into right and moved to third on agroundout by LaSovage. But Contreraz put the scareto rest by striking out Abeles.

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