OU Aims For 1,000th Win

April 28, 2003

NORMAN, Okla. - The 2003 regular season draws to a close at the OU Softball Complex tonight at 7 p.m. when the No. 5 Sooners host the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. Oklahoma will honor its five departing seniors: Leah Gulla, Kelli Braitsch, Jennifer Stump, Erin Evans and Tiffany Weight. The Sooners will also have a shot at recording the 1,000 win in the program's history.

Oklahoma (38-9 overall, 12-6 Big 12) is 999-593 in 29 years of softball. The 2003 seniors have been a big part of the continuing success of the Sooner program with a cumulative record of 203-42 (.829) in their four years in Norman.

The Sooners are 24-0 all-time against TU and defeated the Golden Hurricane, 8-0, in the last meeting between the schools in Tulsa on April 22, 2003. Cokes and hot dogs will go for $.50 plus Sooner pom pons will be passed out at the gates.

No. 7 Leah Gulla
Senior third baseman Leah Gulla of Huntington Beach, California, is the daughter of Karon Gulla. One of the best defensive players in OU history, Gulla started all four years of her career with 234 starts in 236 games played for the Sooners. Gulla will finish her career ranked in the top five in all-time total bases, RBI, doubles and home runs. Gulla was named first-team All-Big 12 and was selected to the NCAA Region 5 All-Tournament team. She's complemented her stellar defensive play by becoming a force at the plate. Her batting average has risen every season and she currently leads the team and Big 12 Conference with a .421 average. Gulla became the first player in Oklahoma history to be honored as the NFCA National Player of the Week earlier this season and she was named a finalist for the 2003 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award. Gulla will graduate with a degree in Sociology.

No. 8 Kelli Braitsch
Senior shortstop Kelli Braitsch of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, is the daughter of Judy Braitsch and the late Ray Braitsch. Kelli will finish her career at Oklahoma as the Sooners' all-time total bases leader. A four-year starter for Oklahoma, Kelli has started 238 games and played in 242 games for the Sooners. One of the most proficient hitters to wear the crimson and cream, Kelli compiled a career batting average of .347. Kelli ranks second all-time on the OU career runs scored list with 185 and is third on the all-time home runs chart with 35. Kelli will also finish her career ranked in the top five all-time in hits, RBI and doubles for Oklahoma. A first-team All-American, All-Midwest Region and two-time first team All-Big 12 selection, Braitsch was named the 2001 Big 12 Player of the Year in addition to being named to the Women's College World Series All-Tournament and Big 12 All-Tournament teams. An Academic All-Conference selection, Kelli will graduate with a degree in Sociology-Criminology.

No. 14 Jennifer Stump
Senior Jennifer Stump of West Palm Beach, Florida, is the daughter of James and Kathy Stump. Jennifer has played in 223 games and started 170 over her four-year career. Jennifer ranks fifth on the OU all-time career runs scored list and is in the top 10 in home runs and RBI. Jennifer was named second-team All-Big 12 and selected to the All-Big 12 Tournament team. Jennifer was named to the Big 12 Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll and will graduate with a degree in Health and Sports Science.

No. 15 Erin Evans
Senior centerfielder Erin Evans of Lawton, Oklahoma, is the daughter of Carl and Sherry Evans. A four-year starter for Oklahoma in the outfield, Erin has played in 240 games and started in 229. One of the fastest players in OU history, Erin ranks third in all-time career stolen bases and has a team-high 12 stolen bases this season. With a career batting average of .330, Erin ranks third in all-time career runs scored, fifth in hits and seventh in RBI, triples and total bases for the Sooners. Erin was the first freshman player in OU history to earn All-America honors as a third team selection in 2000. Erin is a three-time first team All-Big 12 selection and was named first-team All-Midwest Region and third-team All-American as well as being named the 2001 Regional Most Outstanding Player. An outstanding student, Erin has been named first-team Academic All-Big 12 all four years of her career and was also honored as first-team Verizon Academic All-American and Academic All-District. Erin will graduate with honors from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Special Education.

No. 16 Tiffany Weight
Senior second baseman Tiffany Weight of Springville, Utah, is the daughter of Jeff and Susan Weight. After winning the NJCAA National Title with Utah Valley State College in 2000, Tiffany transferred to Oklahoma. Tiffany has played in 100 games and started 88 during her two seasons with the Sooners. Tiffany has 225 putouts and 132 assists over her career. Tiffany will graduate with a degree in Sociology.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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