Softball Runs Rules Third Straight Team

NORMAN, Okla. -- The No. 13 Oklahoma softball team (8-4) continued its dominance of the OU/Nike Classic field on Saturday afternoon when it scorched Creighton (1-2), 14-2, in a five inning run-rule victory at the OU Softball Complex.

The Sooners have outscored their three tourney opponents by a combined total of 33-3 and its last five opponents by a combined score of 52-5. During the five game offensive explosion, OU is hitting .414 as a team with eight regulars batting over .400 during the stretch.

“We have definitely been waiting for this offense to break out,” said OU head coach Patty Gasso. “This recent stretch has been a real shot in the arm for our confidence. The best part about it is that everyone is playing a part and contributing in big ways.”

Box Score

The pitching staff is holding up its share of the work as well. On Saturday it was freshman Stacy Braddock's turn. Braddock worked four innings of two hit, shutout ball while striking out eight Bluejay batters. Braddock improved to 3-2 on the season and lowered her team leading ERA to 0.30.

The OU staff has allowed 12 earned runs in 12 contests this season for a combined ERA of 1.15. Opponents are hitting just .142 against the staff and have struck out 77 times in 73 innings.

“Braddock had a four run cushion to work with and she settled in immediately,” said Gasso. “We are finally starting to hit our stride in all areas.”

Oklahoma, who was playing as the visitor due to tourney rules, wasted no time as they posted four runs in the top half of the first inning. The big knock was a two out, three-run double by designated player Kami Keiter (1-for-1).

“That was a big hit by Kami Keiter and it opened the door in the first inning,” said Gasso. “She came up huge in a clutch situation. Jamie Fox and Alison Horne had big hits as well. We are building momentum throughout the lineup and that is something this team really feeds off.”

The Sooners added three runs in the second inning thanks to RBIs by Christina Enea (1-for-3, 2 runs scored), Jessica Leslie (2-for-2, two runs) and Jamie Fox (2-for-3).

Freshman Tayl'r Hollis (1-for-3) pushed the lead to the run-rule minimum at 8-0 when she scored on a passed ball in the third inning. Hollis reached on a double, which was the first extra base hit of her career.

In the fourth inning it was a solo home run by Jessica Leslie and a two-run jack by freshman Allison Horne (1-for-2) that pushed the advantage into double digits at 11-0. It was Horne's first hit in her second career at bat. Horne cleared a pair of NCAA waivers and became eligible to play for OU on Friday.

Heather Scaglione (1-for-3, 3 runs, 3 RBI) capped the scoring with a three-run, opposite field home run in the fifth inning.

Oklahoma will take its six game wining streak into the final day OU/Nike Classic play. The Sooners face Lipscomb at 12:15 p.m. and North Texas at 4:45 p.m.

Softball Runs Rules Third Straight Team

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