Eckermann's No-Hitter Leads to Win

NORMAN, Okla. Headlining an impressive day by the OU pitching staff, Lauren Eckermann recorded the first no-hitter of her OU career in OU's 10-0 run rule over Temple in its second game of the doubleheader at the OU Residence Inn Invitational on Saturday night. The No. 6 Oklahoma softball team improved to 21-0 on the year as fellow pitcher D. J. Mathis threw the shutout in OU's first game of the day, a 4-0 win over Wichita State.

“Today's story was definitely our pitching,” head coach Patty Gasso said. “We had tough conditions out here today with the wind and dropping temperatures but both pitchers just got it done. D. J. threw the shutout in game one and Lauren Eckermann steps in and throws her first Division I no-hitter. It is so exciting to see these pitchers improve game after game.”

OU 10, Temple 0 (5 Inn.) | OU 4, Wichita St. 0

It marked the second no-hitter of the week as Mathis held Arkansas hitless this past Wednesday, breaking a streak of four years without a no-hitter (Kami Keiter vs. Tulsa on April 22, 2003). Mathis and Eckermann are the third pair of Sooners to throw a no-hitter in the same week. Jennifer Jaime and Jill Most did in 1997 (April 8 and 9) and Jennifer Stewart and Lana Moran did it in 1999 (Feb. 9 and Feb. 13).

“It's a great feeling to get a no-hitter, but I give a lot of credit to the defense for making some outstanding plays out there today to keep it going,” Eckermann said. “Our team is complementing each other so well right now with our offense and defense.”

Eckermann, a junior transfer from Temple Junior College, was two walks away from a perfect game and struck out four of the batters she faced. The junior picked up her 11th win of the season and currently leads all Big 12 pitchers in wins.

The Oklahoma offense combined for 12 hits against Temple's four different pitchers. Catcher Susan Ogden had a strong day at the plate as the junior went 3-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Mariee Mena and Amber Flores added two hits each while Samantha Ricketts led the way with two RBI.

The Sooners got it going in the top of the second as Ogden led off with a walk and was moved over on Savannah Long's sacrifice bunt. Next, Traci Dickenson was hit by a pitch Ogden and Dickenson both advanced to scoring position on Norrelle Dickson's sacrifice slap. Amber Spaulding loaded the bases with a walk. Freshman Amber Flores answered as she pounded an RBI bases-loaded single to score Dickenson. Cleanup hitter Samantha Ricketts followed with a two RBI single as OU took the 3-0 lead after the second.

Ogden sparked the offense again in the third as she pounded a one-out double down the left field line. Another out later, Ogden scored on Dickenson's RBI to left field as OU led 4-0 after the top of the third.

The Sooners exploded in the top of the fifth as Dickson advanced all the way to second on a throwing error by the Temple third baseman. Spaulding moved to first on a walk and Stacia Aleman knocked in Dickson with her RBI single to center field. Another Temple error advanced Ricketts to first as the Sooners had the bases loaded. A Mariee Mena RBI single brought another run across the plate and Fox earned the RBI after being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Next, Ogden and Long strung together two straight RBI singles while Dickson followed with another RBI after being hit by a pitch. The offensive explosion came to an end as Spaulding struck out, but not before Oklahoma scored six runs on four hits to push the lead to 10-0 after the top of the fifth.

Eckermann retired the side in the bottom of the fifth and the Sooners recorded their 10th run rule of the season.

Oklahoma will be back in action on Sunday at the OU Softball Complex as they close out the tournament with a 12:15 game against Temple and a 2:30 p.m. match up against Wichita State.

Below is a recap of game one of the doubleheader against Wichita State.

Game One: OU 4, Wichita State 0
D.J. Mathis pitched her second shut out of the season and No. 6 Oklahoma improved to 20-0 with a 4-0 shut out over Wichita State (7-12) in its first game at the OU Residence Inn Invitational at the OU Softball Complex.

Mathis improved to 5-0 on the year after giving up only four hits and striking out five in the seven-inning contest.

The OU offense combined for only five hits as Jamie Fox led the way with two after recording a double and single and one RBI. Senior Amber Spaulding added two RBI on her triple and freshman Lindsey Vandever recorded the fourth RBI.

Oklahoma led off the first with two straight ground outs, but after four consecutive walks by WSU starter Ashly Bright the Sooners took the 1-0 led. Fox earned the RBI after walking with the bases loaded.

The Sooners added runs in the fourth as Vandever and Traci Dickenson reached on walks and both were moved into scoring position on Norrelle Dickson's sacrifice bunt. Spaulding took advantage and knocked an RBI triple into right field as OU extended its lead, 3-0.

In the third frame, Fox reached first with a one-out bunt single up the third base line and was moved to second after Savannah Long was hit by a pitch. Vandever added a run to the board with her RBI single to center field that scored Fox and gave OU its final 4-0 lead.

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