Softball Shows Resilience in Beating Indiana, 7-4

LONG BEACH, Calif. -- The No. 9 Oklahoma softball team (28-4) found itself in an unfamiliar position on Tuesday afternoon. The Sooners were trailing for the first time in eight games before posting five runs in the sixth inning to defeat Indiana (6-18), 7-4, in a game played at Long Beach City College. The win extends OU's record winning streak to 26 games, which is the longest in Division I softball.

Down 4-2 in the bottom of the sixth, rally starter Kristin Vesely led off with a single through the right side. She moved into scoring position on a Jessica Leslie double and scored on a Heather Scaglione single. Credit the tying run to Indiana reliever Katy Witham, who uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Leslie to score.

Box Score

Freshman Tayl'r Hollis gave OU the lead with a single that scored pinch runner Jade Prather. The advantage was pushed to the final outcome of 7-4 on another RBI single, this time by Kami Keiter.

The work of Norrelle Dickson and Kristin Vesely put the Sooners ahead 1-0 in the first inning. Dickson was plunked on a 2-2 pitch to lead off the game. She immediately swiped second base. Vesely moved her into scoring position with a single through the right side. Then the Sooners executed a double steal to perfection, advancing Vesely to second while Dickson scored from third.

Indiana tied the game in the fourth inning and had a chance for more. Indiana catcher Tori Yamaguchi led off with a double and scored two batters later on an infield single by Rachel Terry. The Hoosiers would load the bases, but starter Nicole Denes was able to come up with a clutch strikeout to end the threat.

Sophomore Jamie Fox took it upon herself to respond to the Hoosiers and she did so with a solo home run to center field. The round tripper was her sixth of the season, which leads the team.

Indiana designated player Anna Olson made the most of second chance in the fifth. Olson was called out swinging by the home plate umpire. Moments later the same umpire reversed his call without checking with any other umprires. On the next pitch from Denes, Olson laced a three-run homer to left field that gave the Hoosiers a 4-2 lead.

Vesely, who had her 23-game hitting streak snapped against UTEP last Sunday, began a new streak by going 2-for-4. Five Sooners recorded one RBI in the contest.

Freshman Jadyn Smith (2-1) who worked 0.2 innings in relief was credited with the win.

On Thursday, OU will begin play in the Kia Klassic with an 11 a.m. Central, game against No. 7 Louisiana Lafayette. The Ragin' Cajuns will get their shot at revenge against the Sooners, who knocked them off in the 2004 Region I Championship to advance to the Women's College World Series. OU will also play Syracuse and Arizona during pool play in the Klassic, which features 10 ranked teams in its 16 team field. Championship play at the Kia Klassic begins on Saturday.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Softball Shows Resilience in Beating Indiana, 7-4

Related News

Related Videos

Sponsors