Upcoming Event: Softball versus Battle Series - 4 on October 21, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
Softball
vs Battle Series - 4
University of Oklahoma Athletics
Horns Outlast OU, 1-0
April 11, 2003 | Softball
April 11, 2003
AUSTIN, Texas - The top two teams in the Big 12 standings battled for nine innings before No. 5 Texas finally pulled away for a 1-0 win over No. 4 Oklahoma at McCombs Field in Austin on Friday afternoon.
The Longhorns (32-7, 8-2 Big 12) scored on a one-run double from Tamara Poppe in the bottom of the ninth frame to take the first game in the series over the visiting Sooners. UT ace Cat Osterman fanned 17 batters to move to 18-4 on the season.
Oklahoma (32-7, 8-4 Big 12) failed to score a run for just the third time this year and dropped to 0-2 in extra-innings games this season. The Sooners compiled four hits and two walks off Osterman but stranded four runners to suffer the shutout.
OU's Kami Keiter lost just her third game to fall to 22-3. Keiter struck out seven batters, walked two and gave up six hits in 8.1 innings.
A nation-wide audience on ESPN watched a pitching duel unfold in Austin. OU's Leah Gulla (2-for-2) connected in the first inning for a base hit but Osterman recorded her second strikeout of the game to end the early scoring threat when Christina Enea bit on a 2-2 count.
Kelli Braitsch (1-for-3) reached first with a single to center in the second inning but was ruled out on a "runner left early" call with Jennifer Stump at the plate. Stump went down swinging to end the second stanza for OU.
Leah Gulla got her second hit in as many appearances in the fourth and was replaced by pinch runner April Valdez on first. Valdez attempted to steal second on the ensuing pitch but an alert Texas catcher Marlo Hanks tossed her out.
Kami Keiter (1-for-3) recorded OU's final hit in the sixth when she singled to right field. Keiter was replaced by pinch runner Lori Shimasaki who stole second with Jessica Leslie at the plate. After Leslie fouled out, Osterman struck out Tiffany Weight to shut down Oklahoma.
The teams traded scoreless innings into the ninth.
In the bottom of the ninth with one out, Keiter walked UT's Wynter Turner and she advanced to second on a single by Alexis Garcia (1-for-4). Tamara Poppe (1-for-1) then hit a double to end the game as Turner crossed home plate.
The Sooners return to the field on Saturday to complete the series with the Longhorns at 1 p.m.
Sunday, May 24
Saturday, May 23
Saturday, May 23
Friday, May 22
