Softball Extends Winning Streak To 11

COLUMBUS, Ga. -- The No. 13 Oklahoma softball team (13-4) extended its winning streak to 11 games with a 5-0 win over Lehigh on Friday night at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Ga. OU is one of seven teams in the 24-team field that is off to a 2-0 start. That perfect mark is largely due to senior designated player Kami Keiter, who drove in pair of runs, and a trio of pitchers, that tossed the Sooners second consecutive shutout.

“We are playing very well as a team right now,” said OU head coach Patty Gasso. “Our intensity is very high and it needs to remain there if we want to continue this current streak.”

OU, which has outscored opponents 31-2 in the first inning this season, jumped on Lehigh right away.

Box Score

Junior Kristin Vesely (2-for-3) scored OU's initial run on a throwing error to third base. Senior Christina Enea (2-for-3) followed two pitches later with an RBI double to right center. Keiter (1-for-2) plated the third and final run of the first frame on a sacrifice line drive to right field.

Much like the OU offense, junior starting pitcher Nicole Denes (4-0) wasted no time against the Mountain Hawks. The righty struck out the first five batters she faced and did not allow a base runner until a single squeaked through the left side in the fourth inning. With the game in hand in the fifth inning, Denes was relieved by freshman Stacy Braddock. Denes worked four innings allowing one hit and struck out nine batters.

A pair of RBI singles by Jamie Fox (1-for-2) and Keiter pushed the Sooners lead to the final margin of 5-0.

The win marked the 10th straight game that OU has scored at least five runs. The streak is a school record and three better than any previous stretch. OU has outscored its opponents 87-9 during its current winning streak while the pitching staff has combined for six shutouts during the stretch.

Braddock worked two innings, allowed one hit and struck out three batters. Fellow rookie Jadyn Smith pitched a perfect seventh inning that included a pair of strikeouts.

OU's staff has not allowed a run in the last 14 innings to lower their season ERA to 1.14.

OU will open Saturday action at 9 a.m., against fellow 2004 WCWS participant Florida State. After OU's third contest, the bracket for championship play will be determined based on tournament records and scoring differential. Tournament action is scheduled to carry into Sunday.

Fans can listen a live audio broadcast of the game against Florida State through Seminoles.com.

Game Notes: Kristin Vesely extended her hitting streak to 10 games, which is a career high ... OU has hit a double in 11 consecutive games ... OU had hit a home run in nine straight games, that streak was snapped ... Jessica Leslie had seven game hitting streak snapped ... Sophomore Norrelle Dickson did not play in either Friday game (sprained ankle) and is day-to-day for the remainder of the tournament.

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