OU Goes 5-0 at OU/Nike Classic

NORMAN, Okla. The No. 12 Oklahoma softball team recorded its fifth run rule of the season in its 15-0 run-rule win over Northwestern State (La.) in the finale of the OU/Nike Classic on Sunday afternoon. The Sooners finished the tournament with a perfect 5-0 record and have opened the season with 10 straight wins.

“It's always great to see your offense take off as well as ours did in this tournament,” head coach Patty Gasso said. “The thing I liked most about this tournament was the way our team came back in a tough game against Minnesota on Saturday. These women have such a great attitude and they always find a way to win.”

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Junior pitcher Lauren Eckermann led the defensive effort as the right-handed starter improved to 6-0 after throwing the five-inning shutout. Eckermann set a season high with eight strikeouts and allowed no runs while only giving up two hits in the win.

“All of our pitchers got a chance to see action this weekend and that is great for our staff,” Gasso said. “Our pitching staff is improving with each outing and that is something that a coach loves to see.”

Offensively, the Sooners recorded a .431 batting average over the weekend with freshman Amber Flores leading the way with a .667 batting average. The rookie recorded eight hits and 10 RBI in the five games this weekend. Senior Jamie Fox was impressive at the plate as well as she recorded a team-best 11 RBI.

In the Sunday finale, Fox, Norrelle Dickson and Mariee Mena led the team with three hits each as Mena recorded her first home run of the season. Fox led the team with three RBI against Northwestern State.

Flores ignited the Sooner offense in the bottom of the first as the rookie pounded a two RBI double to center field to score Dickson and Long, who both reached on infield singles. Two batters later, Fox's RBI single brought in Flores and the Sooners had the early 3-0 lead after the first inning.

Mena led off the second with a single to center field and was brought in on Dickson's RBI single to center field. Long followed that up with an RBI single to right field to score Dickson and Oklahoma pushed its advantage to 5-0 after two.

The Sooners poured it on in the bottom of the third as they added six runs. OU loaded the bases with three straight singles by Aleman, Ogden and Mena. Following an error by the Northwestern State, Dickenson reached first and advanced to second while Ogden scored. Dickson followed that with an RBI single to short stop to score Mena and Long added to the run total with her RBI fielder's choice. Next, Dickson scored on an error by the NWSU catcher and Fox brought in another run with her RBI single to center field as OU pushed its lead to 11-0.

Scoring in every inning, Oklahoma added four more runs in its last at bat in the bottom of the fourth. Mena opened the frame with her solo home run over the wall down the right field line. Dickenson walked and was moved over to second on a ground out and stole third before scoring on an error by the NWSU second baseman. Fox followed that with an RBI single to right center field and OU scored its final run of the game on an error by the NWSU shortstop.

The Sooners will end their six-game home stand this Tuesday night as it hosts in-state rival Tulsa at 4 p.m. at the OU Softball Complex. The Golden Hurricane will enter Tuesday's match up with a 3-7 overall mark.

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