Softball Splits Doubleheader On Final Day Of Tourney

The No. 4 Oklahoma softball team split a Sunday doubleheader with Sam Houston State to finish with a 4-2 record in the OU/Nike Classic. The Sooners dropped the opener of the twin bill by a score of 3-1 before rebounding to win a slugfest, 15-10, in the nightcap.

In game one the Sooners squandered 10 runners and were held at bay by three Sam Houston State pitchers. Kristin Vesely drove in the Sooners lone run with a RBI single in the bottom of the fourth inning. Junior April Valdez extended her career-best hitting streak to 11 games with a bunt single in the first inning.

Nicole Denes threw her fifth complete game of the season but was doomed by a three-run home run off the bat of Bearkat catcher Chrissy Dileo. Denes' record dropped to 7-2, despite only allowing two earned runs and striking out five.

“When you have 10 runners left on base, a big hit is going to hurt you,” said Gasso. “We were playing catch-up all game and never were able to overcome the deficit. We need to improve our efficiency with runners on base.”

Sam Houston State 3, No. 4 Oklahoma 1 (Boxscore)

The night cap of the twin bill was a barn burner with the lead changing hands three times and 25 runs being put on the scoreboard.

OU jumped out to a 7-0 lead thanks to in part to early RBI from Jamie Fox, Christina Enea, Kristin Vesely and Heather Scaglione. The Bearkats clawed back with five runs in both the third and fourth innings. A grand slam by Chrissy Dileo gave the Sam Houston shortstop seven RBI on the doubleheader. Ten unanswered runs gave Sam Houston State the 10-7 lead after four innings.

The Sooners responded by posting eight runs in the top of the fifth. The outburst was charged by back-to-back home runs from freshman Amber Spaulding and Denes. Spaulding's three-run home run was the first of her career, while Denes' solo shot was her second of the weekend and season.

“When they took the lead it felt like we were the visiting team on our home field,” said Gasso. “I challenged the team to change the momentum. I have to give them credit because they responded immediately. Every player in the lineup contributed to that eight run rally.”

Jamie Fox finished the night cap 3-for-4 with three runs scored and three RBI. Freshman Norrelle Dickson was 4-for-5 with three stolen bases. Valdez, who started in the circle, was unable to extend her 11-game hitting streak.

No. 4 Oklahoma 15, Sam Houston State 10 (Boxscore)

The split gives Oklahoma a 12-2-1 record with a busy schedule awaiting in the coming week. OU is scheduled to a host Oklahoma City at 5 p.m. on Tuesday. On Friday, OU begins action in the NFCA Leadoff Classic (Columbus, Ga.), where it will face No. 25 Depaul, Central Michigan and UMass.

Softball Splits Doubleheader On Final Day Of Tourney

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Softball Splits Doubleheader On Final Day Of Tourney

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