Softball Slugs Its Way Past Texas A&M, 5-1

March 23, 2001

NORMAN, Okla. - The Oklahoma softball team broke out of its slump with 10 hits to defeat Texas A&M in the Big 12 opener for both schools on Friday night. The 5-1 win over the Aggies ended the Sooners two-game losing streak and raised their record to 26-5 overall and 1-0 in the Big 12. Texas A&M falls to 23-7 and 0-1.

"Now I can exhale," head coach Patty Gasso said following the win. "I'm really excited that these guys came out and broke it open against a good pitcher. All the players hit the ball hard and had quality at-bats. They were ready for this and really excited to be home."

Senior Ashli Barrett served as the offensive catalyst for the Sooners with her 2-for-3 performance. It was the first time in her career that she had multiple homers in a game and it was just the 15th time in school history a Sooner has performed the same feat.

In her first at-bat, Barrett watched the change-up hang over the plate and hit it over the left-field wall for the solo round-tripper. After reaching on an error in the third inning, Barrett returned to the plate in the fifth and belted the drop ball for a two-run shot back to left. She closed out the day with a team-high two runs and three RBIs.

"It's nice to be back," said Barrett, who is also OU's career home run leader with 39. "We came out with a whole new attitude. It's a brand new season for us and a nice way to get started."

Starter Jennifer Stewart (17-2) earned the win after giving up just one run on six hits in the outing. She struck out two and walked three, but the Aggies were never really a threat to score. They had runners in scoring position only four times during the game, including a bases loaded fourth with one out that resulted in no runs.

After Barrett's first home run, the Sooners put another run up in the second. Left fielder Andrea Davis walked to get on base and Kaycee Clark pinch ran for the senior. Center fielder Erin Evans bunted for a base hit that sent Clark to second and a fielding error by first baseman Kelly Ferguson allowed her to reach third. The Sooners then executed a double steal that advanced Evans to second and scored Clark.

The final three runs came off three hits in the fifth. Junior Christy Ring doubled to left and scored on Kelli Braitsch's single down the right-field line. Barrett brought Braitsch home with her second home run of the game and eighth of the season.

A&M scored its only run in the sixth on a Jennifer Davis bloop single to left center.

Aggie starter Amy Vining dropped to 9-3 on the year after allowing five runs (four earned) on nine hits. She struck out one while walking just one. Reliever Lindsey Rippe came into the game in the final inning and gave up just one hit with two strikeouts.

The Sooners and Aggies wrap up the two-game series on Saturday at 2 p.m. The game will be played at the OU Softball Complex and the first 100 fans through the door will receive an autographed poster.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Softball Slugs Its Way Past Texas A&M, 5-1

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