Softball Claims Leadoff Classic Crown

COLUMBUS, Ga. -- The No. 13 Oklahoma softball team was declared champion of the 10th Annual NFCA Leadoff Classic on Sunday morning when the entire remaining schedule was cancelled due to heavy rains. The top-seeded Sooners, who have won 13 straight, were scheduled to play No. 16 Georgia in the semifinals at 11 a.m.

Oklahoma earned the top seed in championship play by defeating its pool play opponents by the largest margin (16-0). OU was the top hitting team in the field with a four-game batting average of .344. The Sooners' staff also was the top performer in the field. The staff allowed just one run in four games for a tourney ERA of 0.27.

Third-seeded Michigan took runner-up honors after Florida State upset Fresno State on Saturday.

Final Championship Bracket

Alabama, the top seed in the Silver Bracket, claimed the bracket title after knocking off North Carolina on Saturday. No. 2-seed South Carolina took runner-up honors in the Silver bracket.

Lehigh won the Bronze bracket after defeating Texas State on Saturday. The Mountain Hawks edged out defending Leadoff Classic champion LSU.

This marks the third time that the Leadoff Classic has been shortened by inclement weather. Nebraska claimed the 2001 championship by being the highest remaining seed left in championship play and Massachusetts won the 2003 title.

Fresno State's Jamie Southern, who won two games in the circle and hit five home runs in the tournament, was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.

The all-tournament team included pitchers Brooke Mitchell (Louisiana-Lafayette), Kami Keiter (Oklahoma), Michelle Green (Georgia), catcher Heather Scaglione (Oklahoma), first baseman Sheena Lawrick (Nebraska), second baseman Tiffany Haas (Michigan), third baseman Ashley Godfrey (Georgia), shortstop Katie Pierce (Seton Hall), outfielders Katie Ayers (Creighton), Jessica Josker (South Carolina), Maria Damico (Southern Illinois) and at-large members Nicole Motycka (Michigan), Christina Clark (Fresno State) and Tatiana George (Florida State).

Oklahoma will look to extend its winning streak in a home doubleheader against Arkansas this Wednesday. The twinbill is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. OU head coach Patty Gasso, who won her 500th game as a Sooner one weekend ago, will be honored by the athletics department prior to the twinbill.

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