Eckermann's No-Hitter Advances OU

FULLERTON, Calif. Junior Lauren Eckermann recorded her third no-hitter of the year and the Sooner offense tallied eight runs on 10 hits to run rule Cal State Northridge, 8-0, Saturday afternoon in the championship bracket of the Judi Garman Classic.

The win advanced the Sooners (31-2) to the semifinals of the championship at 12:30 p.m. (CST) on Sunday against DePaul.

“I was proud of how we responded and how our leaders stepped forward and took ownership of the game,” head coach Patty Gasso said “The goal was to make sure that we were standing on Sunday and now that we have done that we'll adjust our goals and see what we can do tomorrow. I really like how Lindsey Vandever and Susan Ogden stepped up offensively today. Each game we're looking for different people to step up.”

Box Score: OU 8, Northridge 0 (5 Innings)

Eckermann, who has recorded all three wins in the tournament, was unstoppable in the circle as the juco transfer struck out five and only allowed two walks in the five-inning contest. The no-hitter marked the fourth for the Sooner pitching staff this season which set a school record. Prior to today only three no-hitters had been thrown in one year in Oklahoma history and it was done four different years (2002, 1999, 1997, 1985). Eckermann has thrown three of the no-hitters this season while D.J. Mathis also recorded one.

“Lauren gave us momentum from the circle,” Gasso said. “She wanted to get out there and make it right and it was a good change of pace after our offense was no-hit last night.”

The Oklahoma offense responded after suffering a no-hitter in its second loss of the season last night to N.C. State. The Sooners used a huge seven-run second inning to gain momentum and added the eighth and final run in the fourth. Freshman catcher Vandever highlighted the offense with her second home run of the year that scored three runs. Norrelle Dickson, Ogden and Samantha Ricketts added two hits a piece. Ogden also added two RBI.

Dickson opened the bottom of the first with her first hit of the tournament, a bunt single. The third baseman stole second and one out later, Amber Flores walked as OU had runners at first and second. Ricketts loaded the bases with only one out, but the Sooners couldn't take advantage. Ogden struck out and Vandever popped up to the shortstop to end the inning and strand three runners.

The Sooner offense sparked in the bottom of the second as Amber Spaulding led off with a single to right field, but was out at second after Stacia Aleman's fielder's choice. Traci Dickenson placed runners at first and second after being hit by a pitch. Back to the top of the lineup, Dickson notched her second hit of the game, an RBI single up the middle of the infield that scored Aleman and gave OU the initial 1-0 lead.

Dickenson was caught stealing going to third for the second out of the game as Dickson advanced to second on the play. Shortstop Savannah Long stepped to the plate and delivered an RBI double to left center field to extend the Sooner lead to 2-0, but Oklahoma was just beginning.

Flores added a base runner at first with a walk. Cleanup batter Ricketts smoked an RBI single to right field to score Long and Oklahoma had runners at the corners and a 3-0 lead with two outs. Ogden kept the rally going with an RBI bloop single to right field as OU owned the 4-0 advantage.

However, it was Vandever who highlighted the inning as she pounded a three-run homer over left center field to extend the lead to 7-0. It marked the rookie's second home run of the season as the Sooners have recorded at least one home run in six of their last seven games.

Oklahoma added its final run in the bottom of the fourth to insure the run rule (eight runs after five innings. Ricketts added a single to right field with one out as Jade Prather came in to pinch run. Ogden followed with an RBI double to right center that brought Prather across the plate as OU led 8-0.

Eckermann retired the side in the top of the fifth to end the game as OU recorded its 14th run rule of the year.

SoonerSports.com will provide OU's opponent on Sunday when it becomes available.