Softball Splits Twin Bill With McNeese State

The rainy weather and four-hour delay was a ominous precursor for the No. 6 Oklahoma softball team, which split a doubleheader with McNeese State during Saturday action at the OU/Worth Invitational. McNeese came from behind to upset OU, 5-4, in the opener, while the Sooners rebounded to win, 6-2, in the night cap. The Sooners drop to 21-6-1 with the split, while the Cowgirls improve to 12-20.

OU, which has outscored opponents 25-4 in the first inning this season, continued the trend in the opener by putting two early runs on the board. Heather Scaglione and Mariee Mena supplied the offense in the first frame. Scaglione's eighth home run of the year gave OU the 3-2 advantage in the third inning.

The upstart Cowgirls took a 4-3 lead after a couple RBI singles in top of the fourth inning. OU answered by manufacturing one run on no hits and four walks to tie the game after four. McNeese State answered again with another run in the fifth for a 5-4 lead.

April Valdez relieved starter Kami Keiter, who allowed five runs (two earned) on 11 hits, and retired six batters in order to close out the final two innings. Unfortunately for the Sooners, Valdez's work in the circle didn't rally the Sooner bats, which were sent down in order in the final two frames.

The rough outing for Keiter snapped a streak of 11 innings without giving up a run, which dated back to her season debut at Houston last weekend.

Game One Box Score | Game Two Box Score

OU put together another one of its patented first inning rallies in the second game when they scored three runs. McNeese State answered the Sooner outburst with two first inning runs of its own.

The two early runs were all the Cowgirls could muster against starter Nicole Denes. Denes picked up her 10th complete game of the season and improved to 15-5 on the year.

Sophomore Kristin Vesely supplied all the offense OU needed with three RBI on a 2-for-3 night. Designated player Stacia Aleman also picked up an RBI and continues to be one of the Sooners' hottest hitters. Freshman Norrelle Dickson went 2-for-4 in the night cap and is hitting .611 (7-for-11) on the tournament with four runs scored and four stolen bases.

In other action at the OU/Worth Invitational, Centenary swept New Mexico in the early doubleheader.

Oklahoma continues tournament play Sunday at 2:30 p.m., when they face Centenary, which is the only remaining undefeated team in the Invitational. OU has already defeated Centenary twice this season by a combined score of 17-1. Both wins came during the season-opening LSU Tiger Classic (Feb. 6-8).

Softball Splits Twin Bill With McNeese State

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Softball Splits Twin Bill With McNeese State

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