Softball Hosts OCU On Tuesday

NORMAN, Okla. -- The No. 13 Oklahoma softball team won't get much rest after a five-game weekend, but in this case, the Sooners probably don't want a let down. The team that is riding an eight-game winning streak and hit at a combined clip of .432 in last weekend's OU/Nike Classic will close out a six-game home stand against Oklahoma City University on Tuesday at 3 p.m.

The Sooners eight-game winning streak is the longest of the season and the best since an 18-game stretch in 2003. OU has clobbered opponents by a combined score of 66-6 during the stretch.

“We hit the ball well,” said OU head coach Patty Gasso on Sunday night after the OU/Nike Classic. “Our defense was outstanding and the pitching continued to dominate. More importantly, we built confidence throughout the lineup and we are really clicking well as a unit.”

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Gasso was correct in praising the Sooners' all-around weekend effort. As a team they .432 while outscoring opponents 46-4, run ruling four teams and roping eight home runs. The pitching staff struck out 39 batters, walked four and tallied a 1.00 ERA in 28 innings. The defense was perfect, not committing an error in 84 attempts during the tournament.

Eight of the nine regular starters hit at a .385 clip or better last weekend. Topping the group was Vesely, who hit .579 with 11 hits, two doubles, five RBI and three stolen bases. Senior Jessica Leslie wasn't far off with a .500 batting average, seven hits, two doubles, two home runs and seven RBI.

Currently, four players have a hitting streak of at least five games. Tops among the group is Christina Enea, who is in the midst of a 10 gamer. Vesely has a 7-game streak and Leslie has a five gamer. Sophomore Norrelle Dickson, who is doubtful for Tuesday with a high ankle sprain, is in the midst of a six-game streak.

OU's pitching staff has ERA of 1.07 on the season. Headlining the staff is Kami Keiter (4-1 on the season), who is in the midst of 23-inning scoreless streak. She has allowed just 10 hits while striking out 20 batters, walking two and limiting opponents to a .121 batting average during the streak. Keiter has allowed just three earned runs this season, all coming in a 3-0 loss to Florida on Feb. 5.

Keiter doesn't own the lowest ERA on the team though. That distinction goes to freshman Stacy Braddock (3-2), who has a miniscule 0.30 ERA and has allowed just one earned run in 23 career innings.

Neither can claim the best record though. That mark goes to junior Nicole Denes who is off to a 3-0 start, which includes a 10 strikeout, complete game victory against North Texas on Sunday night.

The Sooners head back onto the tournament road this weekend when they enter the NFCA Leadoff Classic. OU will open with Michigan State at 5 p.m. (CST) on Friday, Feb. 25. The Sooners will also play Lehigh and No. 15 Florida State during pool play. Championship play in the 24-team tournament will begin Saturday afternoon and carry into Sunday.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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