Softball Dumps UC-Riverside, 7-4

Feb. 28, 2003

Tempe, Ariz. - Basking in the relative warmth of Arizona, the No. 9 Sooners subdued the Highlanders of UC-Riverside, 7-4, at Farrington Stadium on the campus of Arizona State University in Tempe on Friday afternoon. Oklahoma improved to 8-3 on the season with freshman pitcher Nicole Denes recording her first win as a Sooner.

Freshman Dana Askins started the game on the mound for OU until Nicole Denes took over in the fourth inning. In her three innings, Askins allowed four hits and two runs while striking out two batters.

UCR's early 1-0 lead evaporated in the bottom of the second when Oklahoma senior Tiffany Weight belted a three-run homer. Weight plated a pair of freshman: Nikki Holt (pinch running for Jennifer Stump) and Mariee Mena to put OU up, 3-0.

A single by UCR's Sanchez plated Burneleit in the top of the third to reduce the Sooner lead to 3-2.

OU increased its lead to 4-2 in the fourth stanza when senior Kelli Braitsch hit a one-run double to plate freshman Lori Shimasaki.

In the top of the sixth, the Highlanders evened the score, 4-4, on a two-run homer by Black.

With the bases loaded, Oklahoma took the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth when a single by Phoenix-native Kristin Vesely scored Jessica Leslie. Kelli Braitsch and Tiffany Weight scored on a single by senior Leah Gulla and OU finished off UCR in the top of the seventh to ice the 7-4 win.

Denes, 1-0, was replaced by sophomore Kami Keiter in the top of the seventh. Denes allowed one hit and two runs while walking one Highlander. Keiter allowed one hit and struck out one batter to wrap up the game on the mound.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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