Softball Shuts Out No. 16 Oregon State

Feb. 23, 2001

COLUMBUS, Ga. - The third-ranked Oklahoma softball team got a complete-game shutout from Jennifer Stewart (Yukon, Okla.) and took advantage of an Oregon State passed ball to defeat the Beavers 1-0 in the first game of the NFCA Leadoff Classic. The Sooners improved to 11-0 as Oregon State drops to 12-4.

Stewart (8-0) seemed to pick up steam as the game progressed. The junior limited the Beavers to three hits, walked only one and struck out seven, including the side in the fifth. OSU's hits came early, getting one in each of the first three innings before failing to register another one the rest of the game.

Oregon State pitcher Monica Hoffman held the Sooners' explosive offense in check most of the game, allowing only four hits with three strikeouts. Although she walked only three, the final proved to be the deciding run.

The teams played to a scoreless tie heading into the top of the seventh. With one out, sophomore Erin Evans (Lawton, Okla.) walked to get on base and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Senior Ashli Barrett (Oklahoma City) grounded out to second, but allowed Evans to advance to third. Then, with sophomore Leah Gulla (Huntington Beach, Fla.) at the plate, OSU catcher Traci Feldt allowed a pitch to go past her and Evans scored for the only run in the game.

OU broke up the no-hitter in the third when Gulla singled through the left side, but OSU got out of the inning without a run by retiring the next three batters. Andrea Davis (West Jordan, Utah), Kelli Braitsch (Broken Arrow, Okla.) and Mandy Fulton (Del City, Okla.) were the only other players to register a hit.

Senior second baseman LaKisha Washington (Oklahoma City) had to miss the game while battling a stomach virus, forcing OU to shift around its infield lineup. Braitsch moved over to fill her spot, while Gulla moved to shortstop. Fulton covered third and Davis filled the designated player roll.

The Sooners continue pool action through Saturday. They will face San Diego State at 7:30 p.m. Friday night and No. 19 South Carolina on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Softball Shuts Out No. 16 Oregon State

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