No. 2 OU Blanks OSU in 8-0 Run Rule

NORMAN, Okla. Senior Jamie Fox recorded a walk-off home run in the bottom of the fifth as the No. 2 Oklahoma softball team run ruled in-state rival Oklahoma State, 8-0, Wednesday night in front of 1,135 fans at the OU Softball Complex.

The second-ranked Sooners improved to 39-4 on the year and 5-2 in Big 12 play while the Cowgirls fell to 24-20 and 2-3 in league play.

“Our goal was to come out and attack from the beginning and that is exactly what we did,” Gasso said. “Our offense hadn't taken charge in the first inning in a while so it was nice to get back in that groove. I really liked how we bounced back from a tough loss against Texas A&M Sunday.”

The Sooner offense scored eight runs on seven hits in its 15th run rule of the year and first in Big 12 play. Savannah Long led the offense with two RBI on a 1-for-1 outing that included a solo home run and a bases-loaded walk. Fox and Dickson led OU in hits with two a piece as Fox recorded her sixth homer of the season and Dickson extended her hit streak to 11.

OU 8, OSU 0

Defensively, starter Lauren Eckermann improved to 23-1 after striking out 10 Cowgirls while scattering three hits and not allowing a run to cross the plate in the five-inning contest.

The Cowgirl offense only placed two runners in scoring position the entire night as Eckermann had complete control of the game in her ninth shutout of the season and 19th complete game of the year.

The Sooners jumped out to a commanding lead after scoring six runs in the bottom of the first. Dickson sparked the offense in the first frame with an infield single.

Next, Mariee Mena laid down a sacrifice bunt, but a throwing error by the third baseman advanced Dickson all the way to third as the Sooners had runners at the corners. Mena stole second on the following play and Amber Flores walked to load the bases.

See how the Sooners stack up against OSU in the Bedlam Series presented by the Bank of Oklahoma and Your Oklahoma Ford Dealers!

OU scored its first runs of the game on the next play as Samantha Ricketts' reached on an RBI fielder's choice that scored Dickson, but a throwing error by the second baseman brought Mena across the plate as well. The Sooners continued to pour it on as Susan Ogden's squeeze bunt scored Flores.

Next, Fox loaded the bases with another bunt single and rookie catcher Lindsey Vandever answered with a an RBI single to push the OU lead to 4-0. Long followed that with an RBI walk with the bases loaded as the lead extended to 5-0 with no outs.

Following the walk, OSU starter Anna Whiddon was replaced by Jessica Hoppock. The Sooners added one more run on Traci Dickenson's RBI ground out before Hoppock retired the final two batters to end the inning.

Whiddon (10-6) took the loss after giving up five earned runs on four hits and two walks in the first while not recording an out.

The Sooners added an additional run in the third with Long's two-out solo home run over left field. It marked the shortstop's third homer of the season.

With one out in the bottom of the fifth, Fox stepped to the plate to deliver the game-winning homer that ended the game on a run rule by virtue of the eight runs after five innings rule.

Oklahoma will close out its two-week home stand this weekend as it hosts Iowa State on Friday and Saturday due to Easter weekend. The Sooners will host the Cyclones at 6 p.m. Friday night followed by an 11 a.m. meeting Saturday morning to close out the series.

Next Event

Sponsors

University of Oklahoma Athletics