Another Run Rule for OU Softball

NORMAN, Okla. The Oklahoma bats continued to stay hot in OU's game over Northwestern State (La.) as the Sooners run ruled the Demons, 12-0, in five innings in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon in the OU/Nike Classic at the OU Softball Complex. The No. 12 Sooners improved to 7-0 on the year after home runs by Amber Flores, Samantha Ricketts and Jamie Fox.

Starter D.J. Mathis earned the win after going 4.2 innings and allowing no runs while surrendering only four hits. The sophomore improved to 2-0 on the year.

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The Sooner offense combined for eight hits in five innings and was led by Flores' 2-for-2 performance and five RBI, that was highlighed by her second home run of the season, a three-run inside-the-park homer. Ricketts added three RBI while leadoff batter Norrelle Dickson also tallied two hits.

Dickson wasted no time in the top of the first as the third baseman opened the game with a single down the left field line. Next, Savannah Long walked and the Sooners had runners and first and second. Following a double steal, the Sooners had two runners in scoring position with freshman Flores up to bat. The rookie pounded an RBI single to left field to score Dickson and give the Sooners, the visiting team, the 1-0 lead. Next, Flores attempted to steal second, but was caught in a run down as Long scored during the sequence and Oklahoma gained the 2-0 lead after the top of the first.

The Sooners added an additional run in the second as Susan Ogden led off the inning with an infield single and advanced to second after a Traci Dickenson walk. Dickson's sacrifice hit moved Ogden and Dickenson into scoring position and Long walked to load the bases. Next, Flores walked to bring in Ogden and give OU the 3-0 advantage.

Jamie Fox added runs in the third with her two-run homer over the right field fence with two outs. After a Dickenson walk and Dickson's single, Long's single up the middle of the field brought in Dickenson. Next, Flores' hammered an inside-the-park home run that scored three more runs and Oklahoma led 9-0 after the top of the third.

Ricketts continued her impressive hitting in the top of the fifth with a three-run homer over the right center field wall, marking her second home run in as many games. The Sooners took the commanding 12-0 lead following Ricketts' second homer of the season.

Ricketts has been on fire since the start of the 2007 season and leads the team with a .474 batting average and 11 RBI with an impressive .842 slugging percentage.

Junior Jadyn Smith relieved Mathis in the bottom of the fifth as the Demons loaded the bases with two outs. However, Smith retired the only batter she faced forcing her to ground out and the Sooners ended the game by rule of the eight runs after five innings run rule.

The Sooners continue play on Saturday at the OU/Nike Classic in their second game of the doubleheader against Minnesota. The Sooners and Gophers were set to play at approximately 4:30 p.m.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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