Softball Edges Southeastern Louisiana 5-4

The Oklahoma softball team overcame a four-run deficit to defeat Southeastern Louisiana 5-4 Friday evening in action at the LSU Tiger Classic (Baton Rouge, La.). Nicole Denes picked up her second win of the day, as did the Sooners who defeated Illinois earlier in the day. Freshman Jessica Johnson worked three scoreless innings and had two RBI in her collegiate debut.

After striking out two batters in the first inning, junior starting pitcher April Valdez was unable to record an out in the top of the second. Valdez gave up four runs, three earned, before being relieved by freshman Jessica Johnson. Johnson didn't show any rookie jitters as she quickly stopped the Lady Lions rally in her collegiate debut.

Box Score

Right after shutting down the Lady Lions rally, Johnson got busy at the plate with a two-run double. Johnson's extra base hit cut the Sooners deficit to 4-3. Nicole Denes put the first Sooner run on the board with her second triple (one against Illinois) of the day, which scored junior Heather Scaglione. Johnson worked three scoreless innings, striking out two and allowing just two hits.

Denes took over in the circle for Johnson in the top of the fifth inning and blanked the Lady Lions. Denes was able to get a clutch ground out in the bottom of the sixth to strand a Southeastern runner at third base. The only other threat to Denes was a blooper down the left field line that was snared by a diving Jessica Leslie for the second out in the seventh inning.

With two outs in the bottom fifth inning junior Christina Enea tied the game at 4-4 with a solo home run off the scoreboard in centerfield. OU took advantage of Southeastern miscues in the bottom of the seventh to seal the game. Back-to-back errors by the right side of the Southeastern infield put Valdez at second base and Norrelle Dickson at first. Enea followed with a single that got past the Lady Lion left fielder. Valdez trotted home on the error and scored the game's winning run.

Junior All-American Kami Keiter is not expected to play this weekend due to a strained biceps muscle in her pitching (left) arm.

OU heads into Saturday action at the Tiger Classic with a record of 2-0. OU is scheduled to face Centenary (11 a.m.) and No. 14 LSU (1:35 p.m.) tomorrow. The times of both games are subject to change based on the progress of the tournament.

Softball Edges Southeastern Louisiana 5-4

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Softball Edges Southeastern Louisiana 5-4

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