Softball Takes Judi Garman Classic

FULLERTON, Calif. No. 6 Oklahoma used momentum from its extra-innings win in the semifinal to run-rule No. 5 Arizona, 11-0 (five innings), to claim the Judi Garman Classic title on Sunday afternoon. It was the first time the Wildcats had been run ruled in 12 seasons when they lost to UCLA on April 16, 1995 (9-1 in six innings).

The Sooners improved to 33-2 on the year and recorded their 15th run rule of the season while the Wildcats fell to 21-7 on the season. Oklahoma defeated DePaul, 3-2, in eight innings earlier in the day to advance to the final.

Samantha Ricketts was the offensive star for the second straight game as the clean-up hitter went 3-for-3 with a career-high six RBI that included a grand slam, solo home run and a double. The sophomore has hit 12 home runs this season including three grand slams.

Box Score

“We came in with a goal and a mission and it was accomplished,” OU head coach Patty Gasso said. “This is a very prestigious tournament with quality teams all around.

“We came out with goals each day. Our first goal was to win the pool, the next was to be playing on Sunday and finally we wanted to win it all, which we did in a deciding fashion. The whole tournament was a complete team effort all the way around as every player had a hand in this.

“This will prepare us well for the Big 12 as we also faced an extra-innings game today which was good for us.”

Sooner hurler D.J. Mathis (8-2) earned the win with her five-inning shutout performance. Mathis struck out five while allowing just six hits and two walks.

Oklahoma took a quick lead after Norrelle Dickson led off the game with an infield slap single and advanced to second on throwing error by UA shortstop Chelsea Mesa. Samantha Ricketts pounded a two-out RBI double to center field to score Dickson. Designated player Susan Ogden lined an RBI single to left field, scoring Ricketts and giving OU a 2-0 lead in the first inning.

In the second inning, the Sooners were given two base runners after two Arizona errors put Jamie Fox and Amber Spaulding on first and second.

Traci Dickenson put down a sacrifice bunt to advance both players into scoring position. Dickson singled to the pitcher to score Fox. Spaulding was thrown out in a close play at the plate after a Savannah Long squeeze bunt. Amber Flores was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Ricketts, who hit a grand slam to give OU a 7-0 advantage.

Ricketts led off the fourth with a home run to give OU a 10-0 lead and end any chance of an Arizona comeback.

NOTES:
OU earned its second Judi Garman tournament title (1997, 2007) ... OU is the fifth different team to win the tournament in the past six years and just the fourth school to win more than once ... Arizona was shut out for the first time in 2007 and was run ruled for the first time since April 16, 2005, vs. UCLA (9-1, six innings) ... OU was just the second Arizona opponent this season to score in the first inning ... Norrelle Dickson needs one more run to tie OU's career runs scored mark of 206 held by Christy Ring ... OU's three home runs matched a season single-game best ... It was OU's 15th win by run rule.

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