Freshmen Lead Softball Past Houston

The No. 5 Oklahoma softball team posted five early runs to seal a 5-2 victory over Houston on Friday night at the Cougar Softball Complex. Freshman Norrelle Dickson drove in two runs and scored another two as she charged the OU offense from the leadoff spot. Fellow rookie Jessica Johnson improved to 3-0 on the year and bumped OU's record to 17-4-1 on the season.

Oklahoma went to work right away as they pulled ahead 1-0 in the top of the first inning. Leadoff hitter Norrelle Dickson began the game with a walk and would eventually score on a deep drive by junior Christina Enea. Enea hit a ball to the warning track that was dropped by backpedaling Cougar right fielder Brandi Clark. Dickson was again the culprit in the second inning, driving in two runners with a single down the right field line. At the end of two innings OU had commanding 4-0 lead.

Boxscore

The Cougars answered in their half of the second inning with two runs courtesy of a home run by right fielder Michele Keith. Sooner catcher Heather Scaglione responded by hitting her seventh home run of the year to lead off the third inning and give OU a 5-2 advantage.

Reigning Big 12 Pitcher of the Week Nicole Denes was pulled after 2.2 innings of work. She allowed both Cougar runs before being relieved by freshman Jessica Johnson. Johnson worked three innings and allowed no earned runs on two hits.

Johnson was not flawless as she worked herself into two-out jam in the sixth inning. Junior Kami Keiter relieved Johnson for her first appearance of the year. The All-American had been out with a strained biceps and had not pitched since last season's Women's College World Series. Keiter was her old self as she stopped the jam and slammed the door on the Cougars in route to her first save of the season.

The Cougars and Sooners will play a doubleheader Saturday at 11 a.m.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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