No. 6 Sooner Softball Drops 1-0 Pitcher's Duel To No. 22 Seminoles

March 14, 2002

FULLERTON, Calif. - The sixth-ranked Oklahoma softball team was edged 1-0 by No. 22 Florida State in a pitcher's duel Thursday afternoon in both team's openers in the Kia Klassic held at the Titan Softball Complex at the Cal State Fullerton campus. FSU's Leslie Malerich (14-7) and OU's Kami Keiter (5-3) matched each other pitch for pitch with Malerich coming out on the winning end as she held the Sooners to three hits and struck out eight. Likewise, Keiter only surrendered four hits, two of which came in the Seminoles' run-scoring fifth inning, did not issue a walk and fanned four batters. Oklahoma fell to 23-6 with the loss while Florida State improved to 22-9.

Oklahoma posed its best scoring threat in the fourth inning when the Sooners loaded the bases. Freshman catcher Christina Enea (1-for-3) extended her team-best hitting streak to 11 games with a single to lead off the inning. Junior rightfielder Jennifer Stump (0-for-3) followed with a fielder's choice which Enea beat out to stay safe at second base. The next two OU batters struck out and fouled out to the catcher before Keiter loaded the bases by drawing a walk. Junior centerfielder Erin Evans (0-for-2) then struck out to end the Sooners' threat.

Florida State broke the scoreless tie in the top of the fifth inning with a lone run. Leftfielder Monique Marier (1-for-3) led off the frame with a double, was sacrificed to third and scored on a base hit to right field by third baseman Becky Brock (1-for-2) to put the Seminoles ahead of the Sooners 1-0.

OU continues tournament competition against host No. 11 Cal State Fullerton tonight at 5 p.m. (PST) on the main field at the Titan Softball Complex.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

No. 6 Sooner Softball Drops 1-0 Pitcher's Duel To No. 22 Seminoles

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