Fifth-ranked OU Softball Thrashes No. 9 Stanford, Texas

March 4, 2000

COLUMBUS, Ga. -- - The University of Oklahoma softball team shut out ninth-ranked Stanford, 8-0, and Red River rival Texas, 8-1, today at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Ga. By winning its three pool games by a combined score of 28-6, OU earned the No.1 seed in the tournament's gold bracket. The Sooners are 23-1 on the year and are riding a 12-game winning streak.

In the first game, OU held No. 9 Stanford scoreless through five innings for the run-rule victory. Junior catcher Ashli Barrett blasted her seventh home run of the season over the right field fence in the bottom of the second, scoring designated player Lisa Carey for the Sooners' opening runs of the game. Shortstop Leah Gulla and centerfielder Erin Evans both singled with one out in the bottom of the fourth, and sophomore Christy Ring walked. Then, Carey knocked a hit to right field and advanced to third on an error, scoring all three base runners. Carey came home on a single by Barrett to end the scoring in the inning. Stanford walked in OU's final run in the bottom of the fifth..

Sophomore lefty Jennifer Stewart was the winning pitcher against the Cardinal. Stewart struck out seven batters as she moved to 12-1 on the year. The 1999 Big 12 Freshman of the Year recorded her fifth straight shutout and dropped her season ERA to 0.94.

The Sooners' win over Stanford gave them a perfect 3-0 record in pool play and set up a meeting with the championship bracket No. 8 seed Texas. Oklahoma scored eight runs on 12 hits in beating the Longhorns. The offensive attack was led once again by Barrett, who hit her eighth homer of the season in the fourth, a two-run shot to left field. Carey and Kelli Braitsch drove in two runs each for the Sooners.

Senior pitcher Lana Moran moved her season record to a perfect 7-0 with the win. Freshman Kourtney Davis pitched the final two innings of the game.

Oklahoma plays again Sunday at 11:30 a.m. EST as they take on eighth-ranked Fresno State in semifinal action. A win would move the Sooners into the championship game at 2 p.m.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Fifth-ranked OU Softball Thrashes No. 9 Stanford, Texas

Related News

Related Videos

Sponsors