Softball Wins Las Vegas Classic

LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- The No. 11 Oklahoma softball (21-4) closed out play in the Las Vegas Classic with a 10-0 run-rule defeat of Drake (8-4) on Sunday morning. The win extends the Sooners winning streak to 19 games, which is the third longest in OU history, and makes OU the champion of the 2005 Las Vegas Classic.

“One thing we have committed ourselves to is getting better each week,” said OU head coach Patty Gasso. “We have been able to do that from top to bottom in the lineup. It really has become infectious throughout the team.“

Box Score

Junior Kristin Vesely (2-for-2) tied the OU record for longest hitting streak in her first at bat of the game. A seeing-eye single through the left side extended her streak to 18 games, which ties Lisa Carey's (1998-2001) record from 2000. Vesely has hit .597 during the streak, which includes a .643 average during the Las Vegas Classic. She also has 10 doubles, one triple, one home run, 19 RBI and 13 stolen bases during the stretch.

“She looks so confident and with every at bat you know she is going to do something,” commented Gasso on Vesely's performance this season. “She's very focused and it is evident she is in complete control. Kristin is a very tough out for any pitcher right now.”

Senior hurler Kami Keiter won her fifth game of the week and improved to 11-1 on the season. Keiter worked five innings of two-hit ball for her sixth shutout of the season. She also extended her streak of innings without allowing an earned run to 60.

Oklahoma opened the flood gates with six runs in the third inning. Senior Christina Enea (1-for-3) drove in Vesely and Norrelle Dickson (3-for-3) with a single up the middle. Two batters later Keiter (1-for-2), Tayl'r Hollis (2-for-3) and Jamie Fox (2-for-2) came up in order and drove in one run each. The sixth run was plated on a bases loaded walk to Vesely.

The Sooners hit double digits in runs in their next turn at the plate. Jamie Fox's bases loaded double clear the bases and put the advantage at 9-0. Pinch hitter Nicole Denes' (1-for-1) RBI single plated the 10th run and concluded the scoring.

Oklahoma returns to Norman for a six-game homestand next week. OU begins the stand with a Thursday, March10, doubleheader against Valparaiso. First pitch between the Sooners and Crusaders is set for 4 p.m. The Sooners will also play two games against UTEP and Nicholls State during the OU/Worth Invitational, which runs March 12-13. Admission to all games at the OU Softball Complex is $5 for adults and $3 for children.

Game Notes: OU is hitting .394 and has outscored opponents 153-24 during the 19-game winning streak ... The pitching staff has a combined ERA of 1.13 and Keiter is yet to allow an earned run during the streak ... OU reached the 10 hit mark for the 13th time this season ... It marked the 10th run-rule victory of the season for OU ... Nine of those run rule wins have come during the 19 game winning streak ... It is also the sixth time OU has scored 10 or more runs ... Jamie Fox tied her career high with four RBI ... It marks the second time this season that the sophomore has driven in four runs ... Keiter is off to the best start of her carer in terms of ERA (0.31), record (11-1) and batting average (.353).

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