Softball Wins Big 12 Championship

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The No. 2 Oklahoma softball team (52-6) earned its third Big 12 Postseason Championship in its history with a 6-3 win over Texas Tech (24-27) Saturday afternoon at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium. The Sooners played three games in close to 24 hours on their way to the title as they defeated Kansas, No. 18 Missouri and Texas Tech.

It marked OU's first Big 12 Championship since 2001 when the Sooners claimed the tournament title. OU also claimed the title in the inaugural year of the tournament in 1996.

"For our team to do this here and know what it's like to be in this kind of pressure is great," head coach Patty Gasso said. "Our team went out and gave everything they had and I am so proud of them. It is great to see our team experience this and feel the way they do. I'm more excited to see what they will do with this in the next couple of weeks."

Junior Lauren Eckermann, the Co-Big 12 Pitcher of the Year, took home MVP honors after throwing all three games for the Sooners, except for 1/3 of an inning. Eckermann recorded a 0.68 ERA in 20.2 innings pitched, while holding opponents to a .162 average with 18 strikeouts. Eckermann improved her record to 34-3 on the year after adding three wins in a day's span with a gutty performance.

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The Sooner offense recorded nine hits with multi-hit outings by Traci Dickenson, Norrelle Dickson and Samantha Ricketts. Dickenson highlighted the offense with her three-run homer.

Earning all-tournament honors were freshman Lindsey Vandever, junior Savannah Long and senior Norrelle Dickson. Vandever caught fire in the tournament as the rookie compiled a .571 clip in three games with five RBI. Long led all Sooners with a .750 average in three games.

Texas Tech's red-hot offense wasted no time getting on the board as Tech led off with a double and a fielding error by Traci Dickenson on the next batter placed runners at first and third. One out later, right fielder Mariee Mena made a diving catch on the right field line, but Tech scored on the sacrifice fly to extend its lead to 1-0.

Oklahoma answered back in the bottom of the frame as Amber Flores walked with two outs. Ricketts followed with a single to right field as Flores advanced to third, but a throwing error by Tech's right fielder advanced Flores home as the Sooners tied the game up at 1-1 before the first inning ended.

Eckermann came back firing in the second as she recorded three straight strikeouts to end the top of frame.

Nine-hole hitter Traci Dickenson ignited the offense in the bottom of the second with her three-run homer over the left field fence that pushed the Sooner lead to 4-1. It marked Dickenson's 13th home run of the season, which is the second best on the team.

The Sooners kept it up in the third as they added two more runs. Ricketts led of with a walk and was pinch ran for with Iver McDonald. Following a McDonald stolen base, she advanced to third on Susan Ogden's ground out. Next, Jamie Fox reached on an error as the Sooners had runners at the corners with one out.

The Red Raiders, who have been notorious for coming from behind in this tournament, responded with a run in the fourth. Tech led off with two straight singles and Robyn Wike's RBI double to left scored Tech's second run of the game and closed the gap, 6-2. However, Eckermann settled and retired the next two batters with two runners in scoring position to end the inning.

Eckermann survived a scare in the top of the fifth as the Red Raiders loaded the bases with a single and two walks with two outs. However, Tech ended the inning as it grounded out to Dickson at third base to end the inning as the Sooners got out of the jam.

Sophomore D.J. Mathis came in to relieve Eckermann in the sixth but struggled as she walked one and gave up one hit and one run. Eckermann returned to record the final two outs of the frame and also closed out the top of the seventh.

The Sooners will learn their NCAA fate on Sunday as the NCAA Selection Show will announce regional hosts and pairings for the NCAA Tournament. The announcement will be shown live on ESPNews between 2-3 p.m. (CST).

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