No. 6 Oklahoma Softball Suffers 1-0 Defeat To Texas

March 16, 2002

FULLERTON, Calif. - Softball's version of the Red River Rivalry played out in California Friday evening as the No. 6 Oklahoma Sooners fell 1-0 to the Texas Longhorns in the first game of bracket action in the Kia Klassic. Both teams failed to get on the scoreboard until the bottom of the sixth inning when UT manufactured the only run of the game. The Longhorns were able to successfully squelch several Sooner threats throughout the game as Texas starter Cat Osterman (15-5) used many of her 14 strikeouts to get outs in critical situations and end the Sooner rallies. Oklahoma (24-8) falls into the consolation bracket of the tournament with the loss, while Texas (23-8) will continue to advance in the winner's bracket.

Oklahoma's freshman starting hurler Kami Keiter (5-4) suffered her second 1-0 defeat of the classic, and third of the year, while turning in a valiant pitching performance in which she only gave up six hits and retired the side in three of the six innings. Keiter struck out four and, for the second straight start, did not walk a batter. The lone run given up by Keiter in the game was unearned.

Texas scored their run with two outs in the bottom of the sixth and a runner on third base. The Longhorns' rightfielder Deeanna Williams (1-for-3) placed a single into left field to bring home pinchrunner Tiffany Anders from third for the score.

OU made its best offensive threat at the beginning of the game when they loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the first inning. Junior third baseman Leah Gulla (1-for-1) singled and moved to third base as freshman catcher Christina Enea (0-for-3) reached first base on an error by the Longhorn shortstop. Enea promptly moved into scoring postion by stealing second base before junior rightfielder Jennifer Stump (1-for-2) followed with a walk to juice the bases. Osterman ended the Sooner rally by striking out freshman designated player Heather Scaglione (0-for-3) to end the top of the inning and the brief rally.

The Sooners made several key defensive plays in the game with the Longhorns threatening. In the third frame, Longhorn first baseman Alexis Garcia (1-for-2) led off with a single and advanced around to third base on a sacrifice bunt and another base hit. UT shortstop Erin Mahoney (1-for-2) then hit a sharp grounder to third base which Gulla fielded and threw out Garcia at home to preserve the scoreless tie.

Gulla was then a part of another play at home in the sixth inning to prevent a run from scoring. With Texas second baseman Lindsay Gardner (2-for-3) standing on third base with one out following a leadoff single, the Longhorns attempted a squeeze play with Gardner which the Sooners foiled by throwing her out in a rundown which included Gulla, Enea and Keiter.

Oklahoma plays Utah tomorrow at 1 p.m. in a consolation game held at the Titan Softball Complex.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

No. 6 Oklahoma Softball Suffers 1-0 Defeat To Texas

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