Keiter Can't Save Softball From Split

NORMAN, Okla. Despite a gallant effort from senior Kami Keiter at the plate and in the pitching circle, the No. 5 Oklahoma softball team (42-9, 10-3) was only able to split in a doubleheader with No. 8 Baylor (40-8, 8-5) on Monday evening at the OU Softball Complex. OU won the opener, 2-0, thanks to a Keiter shutout but couldn't comeback despite two Keiter home runs in the finale, which was a 6-5 loss.

“We are not as sharp as we need to be,” said OU head coach Patty Gasso. “In order to beat this caliber of team we have to play at a much higher level.”

Box Scores: Game 1 | Game 2

After giving up a double to the first batter of the game, Keiter (24-4, 1.04) settled into a dominant groove in the opener. The senior allowed just four batters over minimum after the second inning and sent down 13 in order during that stretch. When all was said and done the Sooner ace had her 10th shutout of the season after tossing a three hitter. It marked the eighth time this season that she has limited an opponent to three or less hits in a complete game effort.

OU's bats threatened on a couple occasions against BU starter Tessa Lynam (8-2, 1.43), but were not able to break through until the sixth inning. With two outs Jamie Fox hit a clutch double into the right-center gap that plated Norrelle Dickson and pinch runner Jade Prather.

With the two-run double Fox, a sophomore, equaled her freshman output in RBI and doubles, with 32 and 10, respectively.

The Sooners had just five hits in the contest, but it wasn't due to lack of contact. Lynam only struck out one batter and walked three.

The Sooner bats did not wake up until the fourth inning of the second contest. Keiter put the Sooners on the board with a monster three-run homer that traveled a good 70 feet past the 200 foot fence in right field.

She became the 26th player in OU history to hit two HR in single game when she put another ball over two fences and out of the facility in the sixth inning. It was the second time in the last three days that Keiter has gone yard twice in a game.

In the last four games, which includes the series with No. 7/5 Texas A&M, she has four HR and nine RBI.

Keiter entered in relief of starter Stacy Braddock in the midst of a four-run fifth inning for the Bears. Braddock was credited with four of the Baylor runs on the night. Keiter was not untouched like in the opener. She allowed a three-run homer to the second batter she faced, Tessa Lynam, but was able to slow the Baylor bats in the final two frames.

“They jumped on Kami and she knew that,” Gasso said. “She's a great competitor and she willed us back into this game.”

Baylor reliever Nicole Jackson (5-0) garnered the win in the second game, while Lynam earned her third save of the season.

With the loss OU falls one loss behind Texas A&M in the race for the Big 12 title. The Sooners and Texas Longhorns both have three losses in conference, while the next closest teams are Baylor and Missouri, who have five losses apiece.

“We are still in good position, but in order to have any shot at the Big 12 title, we have to run the table and go 5-0,” Gasso said.

The Sooners will close the current five-game home stand with Tulsa on Wednesday at 7 p.m. The promotions for the evening will be free pom-pons to the first 250 fans in attendance. It is also the ever-popular $.50 hot dog and Coke night.

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